Occupant protection system and method including seatback

ABSTRACT

A seat for a vehicle may include a seatback including one or more inflatable bladders that may be configured to deploy in response to a triggering signal indicative of a change of velocity, collision, or predicted collision event. As at least a portion of the back of an occupant of the seat pushes against a front surface of the seatback due to the event, the one or more inflatable bladders compress at least partially the comfortable foam or comfort material in the seatback and expedite engagement of the energy absorbing material.

BACKGROUND

During a vehicle collision, injuries to an occupant of the vehicle may result from the occupant contacting a surface inside the vehicle during the collision. As the difference between the speed of the occupant and the speed of the surface the occupant contacts increases, the force to which the occupant is subjected also increases, thereby increasing the likelihood or severity of injury to the occupant during the collision. Conventional seatbelts and airbags attempt to reduce the effects of collisions by preventing or reducing the likelihood of the occupant contacting an interior surface and/or reducing the difference between the speed of the occupant and the speed of any surface the occupant contacts. However, conventional seatbelts and airbags may not provide sufficient protection to an occupant during certain collision conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies/identify the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same reference numbers in different figures indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is a cutaway side view of an example vehicle including an example occupant protection system during a change in velocity consistent with a collision.

FIG. 2A-2G are schematic views an example seatback, and of an example occupant protection system as described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example system architecture for implementing the example techniques described herein.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing chest deceleration variation when implementing the example techniques described herein.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example process for protecting an occupant of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As mentioned above, during a vehicle collision, injuries to an occupant of the vehicle may result from the occupant contacting a surface inside the vehicle during the collision. As a difference between the speed of the occupant and the speed of the surface the occupant contacts increases, the force to which the occupant is subjected also increases, thereby increasing the likelihood or severity of injuries to the occupant during the collision. Conventional seatbelts and airbags attempt to reduce the effects of collisions by preventing or reducing the likelihood of the occupant contacting an interior surface and/or reducing the difference between the speed of the occupant and the speed of any surface the occupant contacts. However, conventional seatbelts and airbags may not provide sufficient protection to an occupant during certain collision conditions.

This application relates to an occupant protection system and related methods including a seat having a seatback configured to assist with protecting a rear-facing occupant during a collision or rapid deceleration of a vehicle in which the occupant is traveling. As used herein, rear-facing occupant refers to an occupant who is facing in the opposite direction of travel of the vehicle and/or in the event of a collision or predicted collision with an object behind the occupant. In examples, the seatback may be configured to provide an early energy absorption and thus lower a peak magnitude of the reaction forces experienced by the occupant in the event of a rear-facing collision or sudden change of velocity of the vehicle. In examples, the seatback may include an inflatable bladder or other expandable portion configured to modify a stiffness of a front portion of the seatback and/or to fill a space between the seatback and a back of the occupant in the event of the collision or sudden change in velocity of the vehicle. In this way the seatback is configured to couple to the occupant's back sooner and to absorb energy from (e.g., decelerate) the occupant over a longer ride down distance, thereby minimizing the magnitude of forces imparted to the occupant.

Individual seats of a vehicle generally include a seat base and a seatback as described in more detail later. The seatback portion provides a back support for an occupant riding in the vehicle. In providing such support, and to protect an occupant in the event of a collision or sudden change in velocity, the seatback may be configured to absorb energy from the body of the occupant during an event. For purposes of this disclosures an event or collision event generally refers to an instance where a signal indicative of one or more of an actual change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision is generated. For example, when an occupant is seated facing a direction opposite the direction of travel of the vehicle and a collision occurs with the leading end of the vehicle, for example, when the leading end of the vehicle collides with another vehicle or object, the back of the occupant is thrown into the seatback of the seat in which the occupant is sitting. Similarly, in examples, when a vehicle is involved in a collision or predicted collision with an object behind the seat occupied by the occupant independent of the direction of travel of the vehicle, for example in a rear end collision, the back of the occupant is thrown into the seatback of the seat in which the occupant is sitting. As the difference between the speed of the occupant and the speed of the seatback increases, so does the force imparted to the occupant, thereby increasing the likelihood or severity of injury to the occupant during the collision. This application describes examples in which a seatback can include one or more energy absorbing materials able to absorb the energy force exerted by the body of the occupant against the seat during the collision. However, the longer it takes for the body of the occupant to engage the energy absorbing material, the shorter the distance that is available to decelerate the occupant and, consequently, the greater the magnitude of a peak reaction force experienced by the occupant may be. The longer it takes to engage the energy absorbing material, the more likely the occupant may be injured. As such, it is desirable to minimize the time it takes to engage the back of the occupant to the energy absorbing material during an event.

However, energy absorbing materials, may not provide for a comfortable surface during routine use of a seat. In order to effectively absorb energy, energy absorbing materials are typically stiff and hard to compress. To provide ride comfort, a seatback can include one or more layers of comfort foam and/or other comfort material (e.g., fabric, mesh, batting, leather, vinyl, etc.) over the one or more energy absorbing materials. As the name implies, comfort foam and/or other comfort material is a relatively soft material that can be easily compressed and thus provides for a more comfortable riding experience. Comfort foam and comfort materials may be made of compliant and/or elastomeric materials. In examples, one or more proximate or adjacent or consecutive layers or sections of comfort foam or comfort material may account for an aggregate total thickness ranging from 20 mm to 100 mm, in examples 20 mm to 25 mm. These ranges are only examples, and it should be understood that other thicknesses (within, greater than, or less than those specified) may be used. In examples, for improved comfort, thicker or more layers of comfort foam or comfort material can be used.

A drawback to using comfort foam or comfort material is that it may distance an occupant from an energy absorbing material sufficient to mitigate injuries to a user. In the case of an event or collision event, the comfort foam or comfort material can provide little to no energy absorption to mitigate injuries. As such, the seatback may not exhibit substantial energy absorption until the energy absorbing material is engaged. This may not occur until the comfort foam or comfort material has been at least partially compressed. Compression of the comfort foam or comfort material delays engagement of the energy absorbing material. This delay to engage the energy absorbing material due to the compression of the comfort foam or comfort material can result in a shorter time and distance over which to decelerate the occupant, which can result in higher reaction forces experienced by the occupant. This can lead to injury to the occupant.

In examples, an occupant safety system as described herein can be configured to deploy one or more inflatable bladders configured to stiffen at least a portion of the seatback by pre-compressing at least a portion of the comfort foam or comfort material overlaying the energy absorbing material in the event of a collision or sudden change in velocity of the vehicle. By pre-compressing at least a portion of the comfort foam or comfort material during or just prior to an event, the comfort foam can act as an energy absorbing material sufficient to protect an occupant and/or the energy absorbing material can be engaged earlier and thus commence energy absorption earlier. In doing so, the system may be able to reduce the peak magnitude of the reaction forces, such as force due to acceleration, and/or compression force, experienced by an occupant. This can lower the risk of injury to an occupant. In examples, the occupant safety system as described herein may be implemented in a seatback of any vehicle seat without having to increase vehicle stroke, seatback dimensions, or other vehicle physical dimensions.

In some examples, the seatback may include one or more materials and/or a construction configured to rapidly compress the comfort foam or comfort material in the seatback and/or subject the back of the occupant to a relatively reduced and/or constant reaction force as at least portions of the back of the occupant compresses the seatback during deceleration of the occupant, for example. In some examples, the relatively reduced and/or constant reaction force may be provided by deploying one or more inflatable bladders that compress at least a portion of the comfort foam or comfort material that may be provided on a portion of the seatback that faces the back of the occupant. In some examples, different zones of the seatback may have different inflatable bladders that can be deployed simultaneously, concurrently, or at different time intervals and can provide the same or different stiffnesses tailored for different parts of the back of the occupant, such as the pelvic region, the lumbar region, the thoracic region, and/or the cervical region. In some examples, the occupant protection system may actively increase pressure associated with the seatback to more rapidly compress at least a comfort foam or comfort material in the seatback and thus accelerates engagement of the energy absorbent material. Such configurations may be useful for enhancing protection of an occupant during certain types of collisions involving the vehicle and/or during rapid deceleration of the vehicle.

In some instances, the vehicle may include a planning system, a safety system, or both that can determine change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision probability in view of one or more objects based on sensor data received by one or more sensors and generate a corresponding trigger signal that is received by the occupant protection system. The sensor data may include data associated with the vehicle and/or one or more objects in the environment of the vehicle. For example, the sensor data may include information associated with physical characteristics, a location, and/or a movement associated with the vehicle and the object(s). Additional information associated with the object(s) may be determined based on the sensor data, such as a position, a velocity, an acceleration, a direction, a size, a shape, a type of the object, etc. Based on the sensor data, trajectories of the vehicle and/or the object may be determined for use in determining the collision probability. Generally, the probability may represent a likelihood, or risk, of the change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision occurring. In most circumstances, the vehicle can maneuver to safely avoid the collision. However, in instances where avoidance is impossible and the probability of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision is greater than a threshold probability, the planning system and/or safety system may determine that a change in velocity of the vehicle or a collision is predicted to occur. In some instances, whether the change in velocity or the collision is predicted to occur may be based at least in part on determining that the change in velocity or collision is imminent (e.g., within a certain amount of time). Based on this determination, the planning system and/or safety system may communicate with other system(s) of the vehicle such as one or more occupant protection systems to protect the occupant. In some instances, engagement of one or more occupant protection systems may be performed prior to a change in velocity or a collision (e.g., pre-collision), during a change in velocity, during a collision, and/or after a change in velocity or collision (e.g., post-collision). In instances where the occupant protection system is engaged prior to the change in velocity or collision, the safety system and/or the planning system may communicate with systems of the vehicle in advance and with enough time to permit engagement of the seat actuator or other safety device.

This disclosure is generally directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for reducing the likelihood and/or severity of injury to an occupant during an event or collision event. In at least some examples, techniques provided herein, may mitigate injuries/damages in which an impact occurs to the leading end of the vehicle while the occupant is seated facing the trailing end of the vehicle (e.g., opposite the direction of travel) and/or in the event of a collision or predicted collision facing in the direction opposite to the direction from which vehicle collides or is predicted to collide with an object, such as when the collision with an object is behind the seatback of the seat where the occupant is seated, though any other direction of travel and occupant position is contemplated.

The occupant safety system as described can be implemented in any vehicle seat. In examples, the occupant safety system can be the only safety system provided in a seat of a vehicle. In examples, the occupant safety system as described herein may be employed with one or more other safety systems. In examples, the occupant safety system as described can be implemented in a seat who can also include one or more of an active headrest, such as disclosed for example in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 17/122,271, filed on Dec. 15, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. In examples, the occupant safety system as described may be employed together with a protection system as described for example in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/370,637, filed Mar. 29, 2019, and/or U.S. application Ser. No. 16/664,069, filed Oct. 25, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

In some instances, prior to the change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision occurring and/or upon first entering the vehicle, one or more vehicle system(s) may determine a safe position of the occupant. For example, upon entering the vehicle, the occupant may be instructed to sit in the seat in an upright or seated position. In some instances, a display within the vehicle may illustrate or present content associated with a proper seating position or a proper position of the occupant. Camera(s), weight sensors, distance sensors, or other sensors within the vehicle, for example, may determine whether the occupant is positioned correctly relative to the seatback, vice versa.

In some instances, the event probability, i.e. the probability of a change in velocity or collision, may be determined based on a predicted intersection between the vehicle and the object. The predicted intersection may be associated with a predicted location of the vehicle and the predicted location of the object at a future instance in time. As discussed in detail herein, the vehicle may include one or more system(s) that determines the event probability based on sensor data received by sensor(s) of the vehicle, sensor(s) from other vehicles, sensor(s) associated with the vehicle, and so forth. The sensor data may include data associated with the vehicle and the object, such as information associated with physical characteristics, a location, and/or a movement associated with the vehicle and the object. Based on the sensor data, as well as the vehicle trajectory and/or the object trajectory, the vehicle systems may determine the event probability. The event probability may represent a likelihood, or risk, of an event or collision event between the vehicle and the object. Additionally, in some instances, one or more system(s) may determine whether a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision is imminent. Whether the change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision is imminent may be based on predicting that the change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision occurs within a certain amount of time (e.g., one second, two seconds, etc.).

In examples, a seat may be configured to be coupled to a vehicle. The seat may include a seat base configured to support at least a portion of weight of an occupant of the seat. The seat may include a seatback associated with the seat base and configured to provide support to a back of the occupant. A seat actuator may be configured to modify a stiffness of a portion of the seatback. An actuator controller may be in communication with the seat actuator and may be configured to receive a triggering signal indicative of one or more of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision, and cause, based at least in part on the triggering signal, the seat actuator to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback. In examples, the triggering signal may be generated by a planner system of the vehicle used to control navigation of the vehicle through an environment and/or by a separate safety system of the vehicle. In examples, the triggering signal may also be generated by other vehicle system(s), such as the perception system, and the sensor system(s) and/or the occupant protection system itself.

In examples, the triggering signal may be responsive to a collision or a predicted collision with an object located behind the seatback. The actuator may, in some examples, also be configured to receive a seating position of an occupant, and/or a direction of travel of the vehicle, in which case causing the seat actuator to expand an expandable portion of the seatback may be further based at least in part on one or more of the seating position or the direction of travel.

The portion of the seatback may include a first portion facing the back of the occupant. The first portion may include a first material. The seatback may include a second portion opposite the first portion, the second portion including a second material. The seat actuator may be configured to include an expandable portion located between the first portion and the second portion. The first material may include an elastomeric foam and the second material may include a material configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load.

To modify the stiffness of the front portion of the seatback, the seat actuator may be configured to expand an expandable portion located in the seatback. In examples, the seat actuator may include an expandable portion including an inflatable bladder, and an expansion device, such as a compressor, pump, inflator, pressure reservoir, pneumatic cylinder, gas generator, pyrotechnic charge, propellants, any combination thereof, or any like device, in flow communication with the inflatable bladder and configured to cause the inflatable bladder to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state. The portion of the seatback may include a first portion facing the back of the occupant, and the expandable portion of the seat actuator may be configured to include two or more inflatable bladders configured to expand between a the first portion and a second portion of the seatback opposite the first portion. In examples, two or more inflatable bladders may be independently operated. In examples, a first one of the two or more inflatable bladders is at a first location of the seatback and a second one of the two or more inflatable bladders is at a second location, different from the first location, of the seatback. In examples, an inflatable bladder may be configured to include two or more chambers.

In examples, an occupant protection system for a vehicle is provided. The occupant protection system may be configured to include a seat configured to be coupled to a vehicle. The seat may be configured to include seat base configured to support at least a portion of weight of an occupant of the seat, and a seatback associated with the seat base and configured to provide support to a back of the occupant. A seat actuator may be configured to modify a stiffness of a portion of the seatback. An actuator controller may be in communication with the seat actuator and may be configured to receive a triggering signal indicative of one or more of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision, and cause, based at least in part on the triggering signal, the seat actuator to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback.

To modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback, the seat actuator may be configured to expand at least an expandable portion located in the seatback. In examples, the seat actuator may be configured to include an expandable portion comprising an inflatable bladder, and an expansion device in flow communication with the inflatable bladder and configured to cause to the inflatable bladder to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state.

The portion of the seatback may be configured to include a first portion facing the back of the occupant, and the first portion may include an elastomeric material. The seatback may also include a second portion, opposite the first portion, the second portion configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load. The seat actuator may be configured to include an expandable portion located between the first portion and the second portion configured to compress the elastomeric material upon expanding.

In examples, a method for protecting an occupant of a vehicle is provided. The method may include receiving a triggering signal indicative of at least one of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision, and causing, based at least in part on the triggering signal, a seat actuator to change a stiffness a portion of a seatback that faces at least a portion of a back of an occupant from a first stiffness to a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Causing the seat actuator to change the stiffness of the portion of the seatback may include increasing a pressure in a portion of the seat actuator that includes an inflatable bladder, wherein the inflatable bladder may be located in an internal portion of the seatback. Increasing the pressure in the portion of the seat actuator that includes the inflatable bladder may include activating an expansion device operably connected to the inflatable bladder to deploy the inflatable bladder. Increasing the pressure in the portion of the seat actuator that comprises the inflatable bladder may include injecting into the inflatable bladder a fluid including a liquid, a gas, or a combination thereof.

Causing the seat actuator to change the stiffness of the portion of the seatback may include pressurizing a portion of the seat actuator that includes a first inflatable bladder located at a first location inside the seatback, pressurizing a portion of the seat actuator that includes a second inflatable bladder located at a second location, different from the first location, inside the seatback, or pressurizing the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.

In examples, the method may also include determining cessation of the triggering signal and causing the portion of the seat actuator to return the portion of the seatback to the first stiffness.

In examples, based at least in part of the triggering signal, the system can be configured to pressurize a portion of the seat actuator that comprises a first inflatable bladder located at a first location in an internal portion of the seatback, or pressurize a portion of the seat actuator that comprises a second inflatable bladder located at a second location, different from the first location, in the internal portion of the seatback, or pressurize the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.

In examples, a first compression mechanism can be a pyrotechnic or other “non-reversible” compression techniques and a second compression mechanism that can include a pump or other “reversible” compression technique. A reversible compression technique may be able to compress foam a multitude of times without replacing a component of the system. A non-reversible compression technique may require a one-time use component (e.g., a canister, an accelerant, etc.) that may require replacement or recharged to be used again. A reversible technique may be employed in anticipation of an adverse event (e.g., a collision) using techniques disclosed herein regarding vehicle sensors and/or autonomous functionality. A non-reversible technique may be employed in response to an accelerometer or other sensor indicating that an adverse event is or has occurred.

In certain examples, comfort foam may be contained within an enclosure to constrain the comfort foam inducing compression of the foam rather than displacement. The enclosure may include a filter or other mechanism to enable air to leave the enclosure with constraining foam material. In response to a compression actuator being enabled, comfort foam can be compressed within an enclosure to act as energy absorbing foam sufficient to mitigate damage to a user during an adverse event.

The techniques and systems described herein may be implemented in a number of ways. Example implementations are provided below with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view showing an interior 100 of an example vehicle 102 including a pair of occupants 104 (e.g., occupants 104A and 104B). In examples, vehicle 102 can experience a predicted or actual change in velocity and/or a predicted collision or an actual collision involving the vehicle 102. The example vehicle 102 may be configured to travel via a road network from one geographic location to a destination carrying one or more of the occupants 104. For example, the interior 100 may include a plurality of seats 106 (e.g., seats 106A and 106B), which may be provided in any relative arrangement. The example vehicle 102 shown in FIG. 1 includes an example carriage-style seating arrangement in a substantially central portion of the interior 100 of vehicle 102. For example, the vehicle 102 may include two or more rows 108 (e.g., rows 108A and 108B) of seats 106, and in some examples, two of the rows 108 of seats 106 may face each other, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. One or more of the rows 108 of seats 106 may include two seats 106. In some examples, one or more of the two seats 106 may be a bench-style seat configured to provide seating for one or more occupants 104. Other relative arrangements and numbers of seats 106 are contemplated.

For the purpose of illustration, the vehicle 102 may be a driverless vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle configured to operate according to a Level 5 classification issued by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which describes a vehicle capable of performing all safety-critical functions for the entire trip, with the driver (or occupant) not being expected to control the vehicle at any time. In such examples, because the vehicle 102 may be configured to control all functions from start to completion of the trip, including all parking functions, it may not include a driver and/or controls for driving the vehicle 102, such as a steering wheel, an acceleration pedal, and/or a brake pedal. This is merely an example, and the systems and methods described herein may be incorporated into any ground-borne, airborne, or waterborne vehicle, including those ranging from vehicles that need to be manually controlled by a driver at all times, to those that are partially- or fully-autonomously controlled.

The example vehicle 102 may be any configuration of vehicle, such as, for example, a van, a sport utility vehicle, a cross-over vehicle, a truck, a bus, an agricultural vehicle, and a construction vehicle. The vehicle 102 may be powered by one or more internal combustion engines, one or more electric motors, hydrogen power, any combination thereof, and/or any other suitable power sources. Although the example vehicle 102 has four wheels 110, the systems and methods described herein may be incorporated into vehicles having fewer or a greater number of wheels, tires, and/or tracks. The example vehicle 102 may have four-wheel steering and may be multi-directional, configured to operate generally with equal performance characteristics in all directions. For example, the vehicle may be bidirectional such that a first end 112 of the vehicle 102 is the leading end of the vehicle 102 when travelling in a first direction 114, and such that the first end 112 becomes the trailing end of the vehicle 102 when traveling in the opposite, second direction 116, as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, a second end 118 of the vehicle 102 is the leading end of the vehicle 102 when travelling in the second direction 116, and such that the second end 118 becomes the trailing end of the vehicle 102 when traveling in the opposite, first direction 114. These example characteristics may facilitate greater maneuverability, for example, in small spaces or crowded environments, such as parking lots and urban areas.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 102 may include an occupant protection system 120 configured to protect one or more of the occupants 104 during a collision involving the vehicle 102. In some examples, the occupant protection system 120 may include, or be incorporated into, one or more portions of one or more of the seats 106 (e.g., a seat base, a seatback, and/or a headrest). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the example seats 106 includes a seat base 122 configured to support at least a portion of a weight of an occupant 104, a seatback 124 associated with the seat base 122 (e.g., coupled to and/or adjacent to the seat base 122) and configured to provide support to a back 126 of an occupant 104 of the seat 120, and a headrest 128 associated with the seatback 124 (e.g., coupled to and/or adjacent to the seatback 124) and configured to provide support to a head and/or neck 130 of an occupant 104 of the seat 120. When seated, a portion of the back 126 of the occupant 104 may be spaced from a first or front surface 132 of the seatback 124 by a space 134. As used herein, front surface 132 refers to a first outer surface of seatback 124 that faces back 126 of occupant 104 when the occupant 104 is seated in seat 106. The seatback 124 of one or more of the seats 106 may include a second or rear surface 136, which may be formed as part of the seatback 124 and/or, in some examples, may be coupled to, adjacent to, and/or at least partially formed by, a portion of the interior 100 of the vehicle 102. As used herein, rear surface 136 refers to a second outer surface of seatback 124 that faces in a direction opposite from the direction in which front surface 132 faces. Front surface 132 and rear surface 136 of seatback 124 as used herein refers to the outer surfaces of seatback 124 independent of the direction of travel of vehicle 102. In some examples, the occupant protection system 120 may be provided at each seat 106, at each row 108 of seats 106, and/or only at individual seats 106 or rows 108 of seats 106.

In examples, to provide a more comfortable ride to the occupant it may be desirable to construct the seatback 124 that is of a desired stiffness when leaned against. In examples, seatback 124 may be configured to include at least in part of an energy absorbing material. For purposes of this disclosure, an energy absorbing material is a material configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load or like material that requires in the range of about 20 kPa to about 500 kPa of pressure before undergoing deformation. In examples, an energy absorbing material is one that deforms under about 280 kPa and 350 kPa. Non limiting examples of energy absorbing material include polymeric foam (e.g., Impaxx 300,expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam density 30 grams per liter or 45 grams per liter, urethane foam, polystyrene foam, etc.), plastic, aluminum, cellulose based material, or a combination of these and/or other materials, for example. In examples, the energy absorbing material may be a substantially rigid foam configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load. In examples, a portion or all of the energy absorbing material may be formed of a closed cell, thermoplastic foam having a density of at most 40 grams per liter, and a compression strength of at least about 300 kilopascals at 60 degrees Celsius and at most about 500 kilopascals at −15 degrees Celsius. However, these are merely examples and other similar or different materials may also be used. In examples, seatback 124 may be configured to include at least in part one or more comfort foam and/or comfort material. For purposes of this disclosure, a comfort foam and comfort materials refer to an elastomeric foam or like materials that require less than 20 kPa of pressure to undergo deformation. In examples, a comfort foam or comfort material is a material that deforms when applying a pressure ranging from 5 kPa to 17 kPa. In examples, a comfort foam or comfort material is a material that deforms when applying a pressure of 8 kPa. Examples of comfort foam and/or comfort material can include a polyurethane. Other similar materials may also be used.

In examples, the seatback 124 can include one or more layers or sections. The one or more layers or sections can be made of the same or different material. The one or more layers or sections can be configured to have the same or different thickness. The one or more layers or sections can be configured such that stiffness of the seatback 124 varies across the width of the seatback 124. In examples, a variation in stiffness across the width of seatback 124 can be achieved using different materials for different layers or sections. In examples, the variation in stiffness across the width of seatback 124 can be achieved by varying the thickness of one or more layers or sections. In examples, the variation in stiffness across the width of seatback 124 can be achieved by a combination of material selection and varying thickness for each layer or section. In examples, the stiffness of one or more layers or sections can be configured to include one or more support structures such as a frame, air pockets or any combination thereof.

In examples, the seatback 124 can include one or more portions. Each portion can be configured as one or more layers and/or sections. Reference to different portions of a seatback 124 is made only for description purposes. The portions are integral parts of seatback 124. The materials in the one or more portions can be arranged so that stiffness of the seatback 124 varies across the width of the seatback 124. The one or more portions of seatback 124 can include the same or different materials. In examples, seatback 124 can include at least a first portion and second portion. The stiffness of the first portion can be the same or different from the stiffness of the second portion. The stiffness of each portion may be uniform. The stiffness of each portion may vary across its own thickness. For example, a portion of seatback 124 can be configured to have two or more layers or sections exhibiting different stiffness. Each portion can be configured to have the same thickness as or different thickness from any other portion. In examples, the one or more layers or sections can be configured to include materials arranged so that the stiffness of the seatback 124 is greater at a rear portion than at a front portion. For example, a rear portion of seatback 124 may include one or more energy absorbing materials, while a front portion may include one or more comfort foams or comfort materials. The front portion of seatback 124 as referred to herein is intended as the portion of seatback 124 that is closest to the back 126 of an occupant when an occupant is seated on seat 106. In examples, a front portion of seatback 124 can include first or front surface 132. A rear portion of seatback 124 can be a portion of seatback 124 other than the front portion. In examples, the rear portion can include a second or rear surface 136 of seatback 124.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term stiffness is used to refer to a measure of resistance to deformation in response to an applied force. There may be a distinction between the stiffness of a material and the stiffness of a layer, section, structure, or portion. When referencing a material stiffness, the disclosure herein refers to a material property. A material stiffness depends on the material composition. When referencing the stiffness of the seatback or of a layer, section, or portion of an object such as the seatback, additional factors may be involved that may affect the overall stiffness of what is being discussed. The additional factors may include, without limitation, one or more of thickness of any one or more of layers, sections, portions, or objects, the combination of different layers, sections, portions, or objects, or the presence of additional device, such as for example, an inflated bladder as discussed in more detail herein. As such, the stiffness of a layer, section, portion, or object may be the same or different from the stiffness of just the material included in that layer, section, portion, or object. In examples described herein, the stiffness of a layer, section, portion, or object can be increased by compressing a layer of material.

In examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E, seatback 124 can have a first portion as front portion 144. Front portion 144 can include the first or front surface 132 configured to face the back 126 of an occupant. Front portion 144 may be configured as one or more layers and/or sections 146. In examples, the one or more layers or sections 146 can include a comfort foam and/or comfort material. In the illustrated example, front portion 144 is configured to have a single layer or section of a first material. The first material can be a comfort foam and/or comfort material. The first material can have a first material stiffness. In examples, front portion 144 is configured to have two or more layers and/or sections of the same or different comfort foam and/or comfort material. In examples, the layers or sections that make up front portion 144 can have the same or different thicknesses. In examples, the layers or sections that make up front portion 144 can be configured to exhibit the same or different stiffness. In examples in which seatback 124 is configured to have more than one portion, the stiffness of front portion 144 may be lower than the stiffness of any other portion included in seatback 124. In examples where the front portion 144 includes two or more layers and/or sections 146, the overall stiffness of front portion 144 can be lower than the overall stiffness of any other portion included in seatback 124.

In examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E, seatback 124 may include a second portion or a rear portion 152 in addition to front portion 144. Rear portion 152 can include second or rear surface 136. Like front portion 144, rear portion 152 may be configured as one or more layers and/or sections. In examples, rear portion 152 may include, at least in part, one or more energy absorbing material. In examples, rear portion 152 may include one or more comfort foam and/or foam like materials. One or more comfort foam and/or foam like materials in rear portion 152 may provide the same or different level of stiffness as the comfort foam and/or foam like material of front portion 144. In examples, rear portion 152 is configured to have the same thickness as front portion 144. In examples, rear portion 152 is configured to have a different thickness than front portion 144. In examples, rear portion 152 is configured to have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of front portion 144. In examples, rear portion 152 is configured to have a thickness that is smaller than the thickness of front portion 144.

In examples, rear portion 152 may be configured as two or more layers and/or sections. Rear portion 152 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2E is only an examples. Rear portion 152 may be tuned to exhibit any desired crushability performance. The thickness, structure design, and material used for any layer and/or section that forms rear portion 152 can be selected based on the desired performance. In examples, rear portion 152 can be configured to include one or more of a second layer or section 148, a third layer or section 150, a fourth layer or section 154. In examples, rear portion 152 may be configured to include one or more features 156 such as one or more support structures, like a frame, one or more air pockets, one or more materials that is not a comfort foam or an energy absorbing material, or any combination thereof. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E, in examples, one or more features 156 such as air pockets can be defined in at least a portion of layer or section 154.

The configuration of front and rear portions 144 and 152 is not limited to the illustrated configuration. Front and rear portions 144 and 152 can be configured to have fewer or additional layers, sections, and/or features than as illustrated.

In examples, the stiffness of rear portion 152 can be set by using different materials for the one or more layers, sections, or structures that make up rear portion 152. For example, a second material, having a second stiffness, may be used for second layer or section 148. A third material, having a third stiffness, may be used for third layer or section 150. A fourth material, having a fourth stiffness, may be used for fourth layer or section 154. In examples, the stiffness of rear portion 152 may also be affected by the thickness of the layers or sections and/or structures that make up rear portion 152. In examples, the layers or sections that make up rear portion 152 can have the same or different thickness.

The stiffness of two or more materials used for different layers or sections and/or structures that make up seatback 124 may be the same or different. In examples, at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth materials have different material stiffness. Likewise, the stiffness of two or more layers, sections, or portions of seatback 124 can have the same or different stiffness. In examples, one portion of seatback 124 has a stiffness that is greater than or less then the stiffness of at least a second portion of seatback 124. In examples, a layer or section in seatback 124 has a stiffness that is the same as, greater than, or less than the stiffness of another layer or section of seatback 124.

As shown in FIG. 1, as the vehicle 102 begins to change velocity, for example, reduce its velocity due to braking and/or due to a collision with an object with the first end 112 of the vehicle 102, the occupant 104A is restrained by a seatbelt 138A of a seatbelt system 140, which may prevent the occupant 104A from being thrown from the seat 106A toward the occupant 104B and/or the seat 106B. Although the occupant 104B is wearing a seatbelt 138B, the seatbelt 138B, at least initially, does not restrain the occupant 104B during the change in velocity and/or collision. Rather, at least the back 126 of the occupant 104B will be thrown toward the first or front surface 132 of the seatback 124 in the direction of travel.

FIG. 1 depicts an example triggering event, such as, for example, a predicted or actual change in velocity, and/or a predicted collision or an actual collision. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 102 is travelling at a velocity V in the first direction 114. A force F opposing the direction of travel is applied to the first end of the vehicle 102 in a direction generally consistent with the second direction 116. The occupant 104A is seated in the seat 106A facing in the direction of travel (i.e., the first direction 114), and the occupant 104B is seated in the seat 106B facing opposite the direction of travel, for example, with the back 126 of the occupant 104B facing the first or front surface 132 of the seatback 124. As shown, prior to the collision, the back of the occupant 104B may be spaced from the first or front surface 132 of the seatback 124 creating a space 134 therebetween.

The velocity of the back 126 of the occupant 104B will be substantially the same as the velocity of the vehicle 102 immediately prior to the reduction of the velocity of the vehicle 102 due to braking and/or the collision. The velocity of the back 126 of the occupant 104B will continue at this velocity until the back 126 of the occupant 104B couples to the first or front surface 132 of the seatback 124, at which time, the velocity of the back 126 of the occupant 104B will be subjected to an abrupt change in velocity as the seatback 124 stops the motion of the back 126 of the occupant 104B. This abrupt change in velocity may increase the likelihood and/or the severity of injury to the occupant 104B due to the collision. In some examples, the seatback 124 may be configured to change in stiffness to cause earlier engagement of the energy absorbing material. This may result in a lower the peak magnitude of the reaction forces, such as force due to acceleration and compression force, experienced by the occupant. Earlier engagement of the energy absorbing material may lead to a peak reaction force against the back 126 of the occupant 104B having a reduced and/or substantially reduced magnitude. In some examples, the seatback 124 may be configured also to quickly be coupled to the back 126 of the occupant 104B as described in more detailed below, and/or as, for examples, described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 16/370,637 and 16/664,069, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIGS. 2A-2E show schematic side views of an occupant 104 in a seat 106 during a collision between the vehicle 102 and an object behind seatback 124. For example, during a collision vehicle 102 experiences at the leading end when the occupant 104 is facing a direction opposite the direction of travel of the vehicle 102, with an example occupant protection system 120 including a seatback 124 configured to protect the occupant 104.

The example seat 106 shown in FIGS. 2A-2E show an example seat base 122 configured to support at least a portion of a weight of the occupant 104 of the seat 106, and an example seatback 124 associated with (e.g., coupled to) the seat base 122 and configured to provide support to at least a portion of the back 126 of the occupant 104. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, the example seatback 124 may include one or more layers, sections, or portions as previously described. In the example of FIGS. 2A-2E, seatback 124 can include a first portion 144 and a second portion 152. The first portion 144 includes first or front surface 132 and a first layer or section 146 of material and constitutes a front portion of seatback 124. The second portion 152 is illustrated as including two or more layers or sections such as second layer or section 148, third layer or section 150, and fourth layer or section 154. The second portion 152 can include second or rear surface 136 and constitute a rear portion of the seatback 124. As illustrated, second or rear portion 152 may include one or more structures 156.

In examples, the first and second layers or sections 146 and 148 in the first and second portions 144 and 152 can be formed of comfort foam or comfort material. In examples, the material used in layers or section 146 and 148 may be the same or different. In examples, the third and fourth layer or section 150 and 154 of second portion 152 can include an energy absorbing material. The material used in layer or section 150 can be the same or different from the material used in layer or section 154. In examples, the stiffness of portion 144 is less than the stiffness of portion 152. In examples, the stiffness of the first layer or section 146 in portion 144 is less than the stiffness of the second, third, and fourth layers or sections 148, 150, and 154 in the second portion 152. In examples, the stiffness of the first layer or section 146 is equal to or less than the stiffness of the second layer or section 148. In examples, the stiffness of the second layer or section 148 is equal to or less than the stiffness of the third layer or section 150. In examples, the stiffness of the third layer or section 150 is equal to or less than the stiffness of the fourth layer or section 154.

In examples, when vehicle 102 experiences a change in velocity consistent with a collision, such as, for example, a predicted or actual change in velocity, and/or a predicted collision or an actual collision involving the vehicle 102, as the back 126 of occupant 104B presses against seatback 124, the force exerted at the first or front surface 132 of seatback 124 may compress one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth layers or sections. As these layers or sections are compressed, they provide a reaction force commensurate to their degree of stiffness. In examples, the one or more layers, sections, or portions of seatback 124 will provide sufficient reaction force toward the back 126 of occupant 104 to counter the force back 126 of occupant 104 exerts on seatback 124.

In examples, there is a time lapse from the moment the one or more layers, sections, or portions of seatback 124 commence compressing and the time by when they can provide the required reaction force. The amount of reaction force exhibited by the one or more layers, sections, structures, or portions may remain low during initial compression. After a certain amount of compression, the reaction force may suddenly peak. The longer the ride down distance is, the longer the delay is in the application of the reaction force, and the greater the peak reaction forces, such as force due to acceleration and compression force, an occupant may experience become. As such, the longer the delay in applying a reaction force, the greater the peak of reaction force may become upon application. These factors may more likely lead to injury to the occupant.

For example, during initial compression, because the comfort foam or comfort material is located closest to the first or front surface 132, it will be the first to experience the pressure force from the occupant body. In examples, one or more proximate or adjacent or consecutive layers or sections of comfort foam or comfort material may account for an aggregate total thickness ranging from 10 mm to 80 mm, in examples 20 mm to 25 mm. The comfort foam or comfort material will easily deform without providing much reaction force. The reaction force becomes substantial when the energy absorbing material is engaged, which happens after the comfort foam or comfort material has been fully or almost fully compressed. Thus, the compression of the comfort foam or comfort material delays the engagement of the energy absorbing material and thus of application of substantive reaction force by seatback 124.

In examples, the occupant protection system 120 can be configured to at least improving energy dissipation by decreasing the peak magnitude of an applied reaction force. In examples, protection system 120 can be configured to reduce or eliminate peaks in applied reaction force. In examples, the occupant protection system 12—can be configured to cause a more gradual energy dissipation that can present a decreased probability for injury. In examples, the occupant protection system 120 can be configured to cause the stiffness of seatback 124 or of at least a portion, layer, or section of setback 124 to increase in response to a signal indicating a change in velocity. In examples, the occupant protection system 120 can be configured to compress the comfortable foam or comfort material to cause engagement of the energy absorbing material sooner.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E, in examples, occupant protection system 120 may include a seat actuator system 200. In examples, the seat actuator system 200 can include an actuator controller 202, and a seat actuator 204. In examples, the seat actuator 204 can include one or more inflatable bladders 206 located in seatback 124. In examples, the seat actuator 204 can include one or more expansion devices 208. In examples, the seat actuator 204 can include one or more vents 210. In examples any one of the one or more expansion devices 208 can be in fluid communication with or operably connected to at least one of the one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, any one or more vents 210 can be in fluid communication with or operably connected to at least one of the one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, seat actuator 204 can access one or more fuel sources 218.

In examples, the seat actuator 204 can include one or more expandable portions 226 located inside seatback 124. In examples, one or more expandable portions 226 may be located outside seatback 124. In examples, one or more expandable portions 226 can be located inside seatback 124, and one or more expandable portions 226 can be located outside seatback 124. In examples, the one or more expandable portions can be one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, seat actuator 204 includes an expandable portion 226 consisting of a single inflatable bladder 206. In examples, an expandable portion 226 of seat actuator 204 can include one or more inflatable bladders 206. The one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located inside seatback 124, outside seatback 124, or both. An inflatable bladder 206 can include one or more chambers 216. In examples, an inflatable bladder 206 may be configured to have two or more chambers 216. In an example illustrated in FIG. 2C, an inflatable bladder 206 may be configured to have three chambers 216 a, 216 b, and 216 c. Fewer or more chambers may also be implemented. In examples, the inflatable bladder 206 has one chamber. In examples, the inflatable bladder 206 can have two or more chambers.

An inflatable bladder 206 may be formed from an impermeable, semi-permeable, and/or permeable material, such that flow of air and/or fluid (e.g., a gas and/or a liquid) through the inflatable bladder 206 may be at least partially inhibited. Inflatable bladder 206 can be made of any known material used for front impact airbags in vehicles. Inflatable bladder 206 can be made of nylon fabric. In examples, inflatable bladder 206 can be may of a polymer fabric, sheet metal, metal foil, natural fiber, or any combination thereof.

The one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be sized and shaped as desired. In examples, an inflatable bladder can have a height ranging from 100 mm to 400 mm. In examples, the inflatable bladder can have a height ranging from 200 to 250 mm. In examples, the inflatable bladder can have a breadth ranging from 200 mm to 400 mm, in examples the inflatable bladder can have a breadth ranging from 250 to 300 mm. In examples, when deployed, i.e. fully pressurized or inflated, the inflatable bladder can have a thickness ranging from about 20 mm to 100 mm, in examples, the inflatable bladder can have a thickness of about 30 mm. In examples, when deployed, i.e. fully pressurized or inflated, the inflatable bladder may have a volume ranging from 0.4 liters to 16 liters.

In examples, the size of the one or more dimensions of the inflatable bladder can be selected based on the size of seatback 124. In examples, the deployed thickness of the inflatable bladder can be selected based on the amount of comfort foam or comfort material used for the one or more layers, sections, or portions of seatback 124. In examples, the size of the one or more dimensions of the inflatable bladder can be selected based on the intended location for the inflatable bladder. In examples, the size of the one or more dimensions of the inflatable bladder can be selected based on the desired shape of the inflatable bladder.

An inflatable bladder 206 can have any desired shape. In examples, an inflatable bladder can be circular, oval, square, rectangular, polygonal, or have any regular or irregular shape. In examples, the shape of a bladder 206 can be selected based on the shape of the seatback 124, the intended location for the inflatable bladder, the size of the inflatable bladder, or any combination thereof. In examples, one or more restraining means 224 such as tethers, belts, ribs or like structures can be included inside, outside, or both inside and outside of the one or more inflatable bladders to ensure that when deployed an inflatable bladder can maintain a desired shape, size, or both. Using one or more restraining means 224 can be advantageous in the event an inflatable bladder is over pressurized. In examples, having one or more restraining means included in the one or more inflatable bladders can help avoid compressing the energy absorbing material during deployment of the one or more inflatable bladders. In examples, one or more restraining means 224 may be configured to also define two or more chambers in an inflatable bladder 206.

In exemplary embodiments, the seat actuator 204 can include an expandable portion with more than one inflatable bladder 206. In examples with two or more inflatable bladders 206, the size and shape of each of the two or more inflatable bladders 206 can be selected based on the size of the seatback 124, amount of comfort foam or comfort material used for the one or more layers, sections, or portions of seatback 124, the total number of inflatable bladders present, the location of the inflatable bladder, or any combination thereof.

The location in seatback 124 of the one or more inflatable bladders 206 of the expandable portion 226 of seat actuator 204 can be selected based on the desired effect. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be at one or more locations inside or outside of seatback 124. FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate that seatback 124 can be configured to support one or more body areas of an occupant. For examples, seatback 124 can support the cervical region 400, the thoracic region 402, the lumbar region 404, the pelvic region 406, or any combination thereof. For purposes of this disclosure, these regions are intended to correspond respectively to the neck or cervical region 414, torso or thoracic region 412, lower back or lumbar region 410, and the pelvis or pelvic region 408 of a seated occupant 104 who is a human male 182 cm in height, with a sitting height of 89 cm.

In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be sized and located to extend across any one or more of the regions 400, 402, 404, and 406. In exemplary embodiments, at least one inflatable bladder 206 extends across two or more of the above regions 400, 402, 404, and 406. In examples, the inflatable bladder 206 extends across the thoracic region 402. In examples, the inflatable bladder 206 extends across the thoracic region 402 and the lumbar region 404. In examples, the inflatable bladder 206 is located such that it can reach one or more of the above regions. For example, inflatable bladder 206 can extend from the cervical region 400, across thoracic region 402, to the lumbar region 404. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can located at one or more of the above regions. For example, a separate inflatable bladder 206 can be located at each region 400, 402, 404, and 406. In examples, a separate inflatable bladder 206 is located at each of one or more regions 400, 402, 404, and 406. Any combination can be implemented. In examples, a first inflatable bladder 206 can be located at the thoracic region 402, and a second inflatable bladder 206 can be located at the lumbar region 404.

Various means may be employed to secure one or more inflatable bladders 206 in place. In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be attached to one or more layers or sections of seatback 124. For examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be secured in place by stitching, adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, one or more pins or like fastening means.

In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be provided proximate to, adjacent to, or in proximity of one or more layers or sections of comfort foam or comfort material in seatback 124. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located at first or front surface 132 of seatback 124. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located between a first layer or section of comfortable foam or comfort material and second or rear surface 136 of seatback 124.

In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located in an intermediate portion 160 of seatback 124 that may be between two other portions. For example, intermediate portion 160 may be between two consecutive layers or sections or portion of seatback 124. For example, intermediate portion 160 may be between a portion 144 and a portion 152 as described herein. Intermediate portion 160 may be inside seatback 124. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located between a first layer or section 146, or portion 144 of seatback 124 and second or rear surface 136 of seatback 124.

In examples, one or more layers of the comfort material may be contained within an enclosure 228. When such an enclosure 228 is present, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be located inside or outside the same enclosure. In examples, one or more layers or sections of comfort material and one or more inflatable bladders 206 are contained within an enclosure 228. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, layers 146 and 148 of comfort material can be located in enclosure 228 along with one or more inflatable bladders 206. The enclosure may be permeable and/or include a filter, vent or other mechanism to enable air to leave the enclosure with constraining comfort material. The vent or filter can be similar to vent 210. In examples, a vent 210 can be used for both an inflatable bladder 206 and an enclosure 228. In response to a compression actuator being enabled, comfort foam can be compressed within an enclosure 228 to form a structure that may act as an energy absorbing material sufficient to mitigate at least in part damage to a user during an adverse event. The enclosure can be a permeable or impermeable membrane and can be made of similar materials as described for the one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, the enclosure may include the outer surface of the seatback 124. In examples, the enclosure 228 surrounding the comfort material can be an enclosing membrane 228 within seatback 124.

In exemplary embodiments, one or more inflatable bladders can be located between a first portion 144 of seatback 124 and a second portion 152 of seatback 124. For example, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located between front portion 144 and rear portion 152. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders can be located between a first layer or section 146 of portion 144 of seatback 124 and second layer or section 148 of portion 152 of seatback 124.

In exemplary embodiments, one or more inflatable bladders 206 are located proximate to or adjacent to one or more of a comfort foam or comfort material layer or section. For examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located proximate to or adjacent to one layer or section 146, layer or section 148, or both. In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located inside second or rear portion 152 of seatback 124 between any two layers or sections at least one of which includes comfort foam or comfort material. For example, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be located between second layer or section 148 and third layer or section 150.

In examples, two or more inflatable bladders 206 may be located at different portions of seatback 124. In examples, an inflatable bladder 206 may be spaced in the x (lateral), y (vertical), and/or z (longitudinal) direction from a second inflatable bladder 206. In examples, a first and second inflatable bladders 206 are spaced from each other in the x, y, and/or z directions. For instance, in examples, a first and second inflatable bladders 206 may be spaced in the lateral direction for the same and/or for two separate seating positions. In examples, a first and second inflatable bladders 206 may be spaced in the vertical direction for upper and lower portions of a same seating position. In examples, a first and second inflatable bladders 206 may be spaced in the longitudinal direction, for example in a stacked configuration one in front of the other and/or one being ahead of the other with respect to the position of the occupant. For example, one or more inflatable bladder 206 can be located between first layer or section 146 and second layer or section 148, and one or more inflatable bladder 206 can be located at the surface 132 of seatback 124. In examples, one or more inflatable bladder 206 can be located between first layer or section 146 and second layer or section 148, and one or more inflatable bladder 206 can be located between second layer or section 148 and third layer or section 150 of seatback 124. Also, an inflatable bladder 206 may be located in the lumbar region of seatback 124 while another inflatable bladder 206 may be located in the thoracic region of seatback 124. In examples, two or more inflatable bladders 206 may be located in the same region. For example, two inflatable bladders 206 may be both located in the thoracic region of seatback 124 either spaced in the x-direction (i.e. laterally), in the y-direction (i.e. vertically), and/or in the z-direction (i.e. longitudinally).

In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be independently controlled and/or operated. In examples, where seat actuator 204 is configured with two or more inflatable bladders 206 located in seatback 124, the two or more inflatable bladders 206 can be deployed simultaneous, at different times, selectively, or any combination thereof. Selective deployment may include the deployment of at least one but not all, of the two or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, the occupant protection system 120 can be configured to cause deployment of the one or more inflatable bladders 206 depending on any one or more parameters such as environment, type or degree of change in velocity experienced by the vehicle 102, type or degree of an actual collision or predicted collision involving vehicle 102, the presence or absence of an occupant 104, a weight of occupant 104, a height or sitting height of an occupant 104, a width of an occupant 104, the sitting position of occupant 104, the presence or absence of a riding aid device such as a child car seat, a selected input by an occupant or user of vehicle 102, a presetting in vehicle computing device(s) 304, a presetting in computing device(s) 330, or any combination thereof.

In examples, vehicle 102 can include an object classification system as described in conjunction with FIG. 3, and/or other portions of vehicle systems like one or more sensors 158 may be configured to generate signals indicative of the presence or absence of an occupant, the weight of an occupant, the size of an occupant such as a height, sitting height, and/or width of an occupant, the sitting position of an occupant, the direction an occupant may be facing, for example, in the direction of travel or opposite the direction of travel, the presence of a riding aid device, such as a child car seat, or any combination thereof. In examples, the additional parameters listed above can be monitored or derived from the information captured by the existing sensors and monitors as described herein with respect to vehicle 102 or may also be monitored or derived from readings using one or more sensors 158. The one or more sensors 158 can located anywhere inside or outside vehicle 102. In examples, one or more sensors 158 may be located in seat base 122, in seatback 124, or both. The one or more sensors 158 can be configured as part of one or more perception component 322, sensor system(s) 306, vehicle computing device(s) 304 and/or computing device(s) 330. The one or more sensors 158 can be in communication with vehicle computing device(s) 304, computing device(s) 330, occupant protection system 120, seat actuator system 212, or any combination thereof.

In examples, the occupant protection system 120 can be configured to also assist in more quickly engaging or coupling the back 126 of the occupant 104 to seatback 124. In examples, at the time of an event or collision event, the occupant protection system 120 may detect a gap 134 between at least a portion of back portion 126 of an occupant 104 and at least a portion of first or front surface 132 of seatback 127. In examples, the occupant protection system 120 may be configured to determine whether gap 134 is beyond a preset threshold. In examples, the occupant protection system 120 may be configured to minimize or eliminate gap 134.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2F-2G, in examples, the seat actuator 204 of occupant protection system 120, may be configured to include an expandable portion 226 at a first or front surface 132 of seatback 124. The expandable portion 226, as described earlier, may include one or more inflatable bladders 206. As illustrated in FIG. 2F, at a triggering event, upon detection of a gap 134 or upon detection that the gap 134 of size a is beyond a preset threshold, actuator controller 204 can cause one or more inflatable bladders 206 at the first or front surface 132 of seatback 124 to deploy. As illustrated in FIG. 2G, in examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be configured to at least partially extend outward toward at least a portion the back 126 of occupant 104. In examples, upon deployment the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may remain inside seatback 124, underneath first or front surface 135 of seatback 124. In such examples, upon deployment, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be configured to press first or front surface 135 of seatback 124 toward at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104. In examples, the first or front surface 135 may be configured to allow exit of one or more inflatable bladders 206 upon deployment. In such examples, the one or more deployed inflatable bladders 206 may directly contact at least a portion of occupant 104 and/or at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be located at first or front surface 135, outside of seatback 124. In such examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may directly contact at least a portion of occupant 104 and/or at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104 before and/or after deployment.

By either pushing first or front surface 135 toward at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104, or by exiting seatback 124 through first or front surface 135 or being located outside seatback 124 and inflating toward at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104, the deployed one or more inflatable bladders 206 may reduce or eliminate gap 134 between at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104 and seatback 124, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2G. By reducing or eliminating gap 134, the occupant 104 may be engaged or coupled with seatback 124 earlier.

In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be deployed at the second or rear surface 136 of seatback 124 to cause the seatback 124 to shift forward and thus also reduce or eliminate gap 134 between front surface 135 and at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104. This may also result in earlier engagement between occupant 104 and seatback 124. In examples, the deployment of one or more inflatable bladders 206 can induce a force at second or rear surface 136 of seatback 124. In examples, the force can be sufficient to shift the position of seatback 124 toward at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104. In examples, the shift of seatback 124 toward at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104, may be allowed through a pivoting mechanism. In examples, the translation of seatback 124 toward at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104 may be limited by a gear that may include one or more locking teeth, or may have a pin or like structure to prevent excessive translation of seatback 124 toward at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104.

Quicker engagement or coupling of occupant 104 and seatback 124 during an event or collision event can help decrease the reaction force applied to the occupant, as discussed in more detail in, for example, U.S. application Ser. Nos. 16/370,637 and Pate Ser. No. 16/664,069, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be deployed one or more times. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be replaced after deployment. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can deflate after deployment and return to their pre-deployment or stowed state. In their stowed state, i.e. prior to deployment, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be deflated or unpressurized. In examples, in their stowed stated one or more inflatable bladders 206 are empty or substantially empty. In examples, when in the stowed stated, no foam or comfort material and no energy absorbing material is present inside the one or more inflatable bladders 206.

In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be configured to be in fluid communication or operably connected to other one or more inflatable bladders 206.

In examples, as shown in FIG. 2D, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be configured to be in fluid communication and/or operably connected to one or more auxiliary reservoirs 220. An auxiliary reservoir 220 can be configured in a manner similar to one or more inflatable bladders 206 but can be operably connected to one of more of bladders 206 in a way to only allow flow to reservoir 220 under a desired condition. One or more reservoirs 220 can be provided at the same or similar locations as described for the inflatable bladders 206 or may be placed at other locations. For example, one or more reservoirs 220 may be located outside of seatback 124. For example, one or more reservoirs 220 may be located at second or rear surface 136 of seatback 124.

An operable connection between an inflatable bladder 206 and an auxiliary reservoir 220 can be made via one or more valves 222. Valves 222 may be configured to controlled or operated by actuator controller 202. Valves 222 may be configured to independently operate. In examples, a valve 222 may be configured to allow flow between an inflatable bladder 206 and a reservoir 220 when a pressure exceeds a given threshold.

Reservoir 220 may be deployed in conditions where it may be desired to deflate or disperse the gas inside one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, inflatable bladders 206 may become over inflated, and it may be desirable to disperse the gas to another location away from the one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, one or more vents 210 as described below malfunctions or become clogged, and alternate venting may be required. In examples, the occupancy safety system 120 may determine that for safety or comfort of the occupant it is desirable to disperse the gas inside one or more inflatable bladders 206 over a larger area. Any of these instances, and any other like situation, may benefit from the presence of one or more auxiliary reservoirs 220 operably connected to one or more inflatable bladders 206.

In examples, a reservoir 220 may be used to aid the inflation of one or more inflatable bladders 206. For example, a reservoir 220 may be configured to be repeatedly re-pressurized by, for example, a pump, pneumatic cylinder, or other like device as described for the expansion device 208. A reservoir 220 may be used to store an inflating medium that can then be transferred to one or more inflatable bladders 206 when desired.

In some examples, the seat actuator 204 may include one or more expansion devices 208. For example, the seat actuator 204 may include an expansion device operably connected to and/or in flow communication 212 with an interior of an inflatable bladder 206 and configured to increase pressure in the interior of an inflatable bladder 206. In examples, as illustrated in FIG. 2D, one expansion device 208 a is in flow communication and/or operably connected to one inflatable bladder 206 a. In examples, as also illustrated in FIG. 2D, one expansion device 208 b may be in flow communication and/or operably connected to two or more inflatable bladders 206 b and 206 c. In some examples, the expansion device may include, a compressor, pump, inflator, pressure reservoir, pneumatic cylinder, gas generator, pyrotechnic charge, propellants, any combination thereof, and/or any other suitable devices or systems. In examples, the one or more expansion devices 208 are inflators. The one or more expansion devices 208, once triggered, can use inflating media such as solid fuel, compressed fluid such as liquid or gas, or any combination thereof to produce rapidly expanding gas to inflate the one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, the one or more expansion devices 208 may be reversable or be configured to be operated in reverse. In examples the one or more expansion devices 208 may be configured to be operated to exhaust and/or to deflate the one or more inflatable bladders 206. For example, the one or more expansion devices 208 can be triggered to exhaust any inflating media from one or more inflatable bladders 206. The one or more expansion devices 208 may be operably connected to and/or in flow communication with one or more fluid and/or solid fuel sources 218. The one or more expansion device 208 may be located in any convenient location. In examples, one or more expansion devices 208 are located in seatback 124 at a location that is off-center with respect to back 126 of a seated occupant 104. In examples, one or more expansion devices 208 are located in seatback 124 outside an area against which at least a portion of back 126 of an occupant 104 presses during a collision or change of velocity event of a vehicle 102.

The inflating media used by the one or more expansion devices 208 can be a fluid such as a liquid, a gas, or a combination thereof. The inflating media used by the one or more expansion devices 208 can be a solid fuel. In examples, one or more expansion devices 208 can use combination of fluid and solid. The inflating medium can be a single compound, a mixture of compounds, or a solution. In examples, the fluid can be air. In examples, the fluid can be argon gas. In examples, the fluid can be nitrogen. In examples the fluid can be liquid nitrogen. In examples the fluid can be CO₂, for example compressed carbon dioxide. In examples the solid fuel can be sodium azide.

The inflation media source 218 can be any suitable source. Source 218 may be configured as a single source, or more multiple sources. In examples, source 218 may be configured as a system that draws from one or more locations. For example, source 218 may draw any combination of gas, liquid, or solid from one or more locations. Different sources may be combined in the process of being delivered to inflatable bladder 206 by an expansion device 208. In examples, the source 218 may be configured as one or more containers. In examples, the source 218 may be configured as one or more rechargeable containers. In examples the source 218 may be configured as one or more replaceable containers. A container can include a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof. In examples, source 218 can be a container such as a canister. In examples, the canister can be a rechargeable canister, a replaceable canister, or both. The canister can be of compressed gas, compressed liquid, or a combination thereof. In examples, the source 218 can be the atmosphere. For example, expansion device 208 may be configured to aspirate air from the environment and inject it into bladder 206. In examples, the aspiration and injection can be carried out simultaneously. In examples, the aspiration can occur prior to injection and held in a storage container ready for injection.

In some examples, seat actuator 204 may include one or more vents 210 configured to release pressure inside one or more bladders 206 before, during and/or after compression of the seatback 124. For example, the at least one vent 210 may be operably connected to or in flow communication 214 with the one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples where two or more inflatable bladders 206 are used, as shown in FIG. 2D, each of inflatable bladder 206 a, 206 b, and 206 c may be associated with its own vent 210 a, 210 b, and 210 c respectively. In examples, a vent 210 may also be operably connected to and/or in flow communication with two or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, one or more vents 210 can be in flow communication with an outer portion seatback 124. In examples, one or more vents 210 can be in flow communication with one or more features 156, such as for example an air pocket. In examples, the at least one vent 210 may be configured to affect the stiffness characteristic of the seatback 124 before, during and/or after compression of the seatback 124. In some examples, the at least one vent 210 may be configured as one or more valves configured for controlled passage of air and/or fluid (e.g., a gas and/or fluid) through the one or more valves. In some examples, the one or more valves may be configured (e.g., via size and/or adjustment) to provide a desired stiffness characteristic for the seatback 124, for example, such that, in combination with the one or more layers, sections, structures, or portions of seatback 124, as at least a portion of the back 126 of the occupant 104 pushes against the first or front surface 132 of the seatback 124 and the seatback 124 is at least partially compressed, a reaction force from the seatback 124 against the portion of the back 126 of the occupant 104 increases from a minimal reaction force (e.g., zero force) to a first reaction force. The dissipation rate of a vent 210 is not limited to a particular range. In examples, a vent 210 can be configured to have a dissipation rate of about 0.06 liters/second. In exemplary embodiments, the dissipation rate may be controlled. Control can be applied to the vent 210 through one or more valves. In exemplary embodiments, controlling dissipation rate can help more gradually distribute the reaction forced against at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104.

In examples, instead of using one or more vent 210 to release pressure inside one or more inflatable bladder 206, seat actuator 204 may be configured with one or more permeable or semi-permeable inflatable bladders 206. In examples, one or more permeable or semi-permeable bladders 206 may be configured to allow the escape of a fluid contained therein. For example, the material of one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be permeable or semi-permeable to a gas such as air, argon, nitrogen, or other gas that may be relied upon to pressurize or inflate bladder 206. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be configured to have a seem along at least a portion of their perimeter that may allow for the degassing of the bladder. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be configured to allow a fluid to escape through a seem along at least a portion of its perimeter, through permeation, a vent 210, a valve 222, or any combination thereof. In examples, seatback 124 can be configured to allow permeation of a fluid such that as the fluid escapes one or more inflatable bladders 206, the fluid can travel through the one or more layers or sections, either by permeation or through designed airways or pores, and escape into the environment outside seatback 124.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, some examples of the occupant protection system 120 may include a seat actuator system 200 including an actuator controller 202 configured to cause a stiffness of at least a portion of the seatback 124 to increase. In some examples, the actuator controller 202 may be configured to receive one or more triggering signals from one or more sensors, the safety system, the planning system, or any combination thereof, indicative of change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision, and based at least in part on the one or more signals, cause a seat actuator 204 to increase the stiffness of at least a portion of the seatback 124 that is being or is about to be compressed by back 126 of the occupant 104, for example, as described herein. In examples, the stiffness at least at a portion of seatback 124 may be increased by compressing at least a portion of a comfort foam or comfort material in seatback 124. The actuator controller 202 may receive one or more signals indicative of parameters other than the one or more signals indicative of a predicted or actual collision, and, based at least in part on the one or more signals indicative of the other parameters, cause the seat actuator 204 to inflate the one or more inflatable bladders 206 in at least a portion of the seatback 124 against which at least a portion of the back 126 of the occupant 104. In examples, deployment of one or more inflatable bladders 206 can cause compression of at least a portion of a comfort foam or comfort material located in seatback 124.

When deployed, i.e. pressurized or inflated, one or more inflatable bladders 206 can provide a stiffer support than what may be provided by the comfort foam or comfort materials used to for the one or more layers, sections, or portions of seatback 124. In examples, one or more bladders 206 can be located at first or front surface 132 of seatback 124. As such, when pressurized or inflated, the bladder 206 can provide a stiffness against at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104 at first or front the surface 132 of seatback 124. Likewise, as the one or more inflatable bladders 206 are inflated or pressurized, they press against surface 132 of seatback 124 and thus against any layer or section of comfort foam or comfort material beneath first or front surface 135. In so doing, the pressurized or inflated one or more bladders 206 compress the comfort foam or comfort material. Similarly, in examples where at least one layer or section of comfort foam or comfort material is between one or more inflatable bladders 206 and first or front surface 132 of seatback 124 and/or in examples where one or more inflatable bladders 206 are located between two consecutive or adjacent layers or sections of comfort foam or comfort material, when the one or more inflatable bladders 206 are pressurized or inflated they will press against and thus at least partially compress the comfort foam or comfort material of the adjacent layers or sections. By compressing at least in part the comfort foam or comfort material of at least one or more layers, sections, or portions of seatback 124, the seatback 124 will increase in stiffness and cause an earlier application of a reactive force to back 126 of occupant 104 then if no inflatable bladder were present. In this manner, the energy absorbing material can be more quickly engaged, and the reaction force can be applied earlier, thus spreading out the application of the reaction force more gradually, or at a lower magnitude during the collision event.

In some examples, the seat actuator system 200 may be configured to cause an increase a stiffness of at least a portion of seatback 124 by inflating one or more inflatable bladders 206 before, during, and/or after the reduction in velocity of the vehicle 102 due to braking and/or the collision. In examples, seat actuator system 200 may be configured to cause deployment of seat actuator 204 before a change in velocity or collision event occurs. In examples, the deployment of seat actuator 204, and thus of one or more bladders 206 can be at time of detection of a braking or of a collision, or of a predicted collision, at time equal −400 ms. In examples, the deployment occurs at the time of a change in velocity or collision event at time equal to 0 ms. In examples, the deployment can follow the reduction in velocity or collision event.

In examples, full deployment can occur quickly. In examples, deployment occur from time at 0 ms to time 10 ms. In examples, full deployment of an inflatable bladder 206 may be designed to occur in 10 ms. In examples, deployment can be only partial deployment. In examples, deployment can be gradual. In examples, deployment can be delayed. In examples, the time to deploy may be shorter or longer than 10 ms.

In examples, occupant protection system 120 with actuator system 200 and seat actuator controller 202 may be configured to control deployment and/or rate of deployment of one or more inflatable bladders 206 based on a set of deployment parameters. Rate of deployment refers to the speed at which one or more bladders 206 are pressurized. Deployment refers to the full or partial deployment of seat actuator 204. In examples, where seat actuator 204 is configured to have two or more inflatable bladders 206, deployment may include the selective deployment of one or more inflatable bladders 206, the delayed deployment of one or more inflatable bladders 206 as compared to other inflatable bladders 206, or any combination thereof. In examples, actuator system 200 and/or seat actuator controller 202 may control depressurization or deflation of one or more inflatable bladders 206.

In examples, one or more vehicle system(s) can be configured to determine one or more conditions associated with the triggering event. The seat actuator system 200 may be configured to determine, based at least in part on the one or more conditions associated with the triggering event, a pressure to which to inflate one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, the occupant protection system 120 may be configured to determine deployment control, pressurization control, depressurization control, or any combination thereof based on the type of event being detected or predicted, the gravity of the event, presence of the occupant, facing direction of the occupant, the position of the occupant, the size of the occupant, the presence of a riding aid device, such as a child car seat, an override input by an occupant or user, or any combination thereof. An object classification system and/or other portions of vehicle systems may generate signals indicative of whether an occupant is present in a seat of the vehicle, what direction the occupant may be facing, and other information about the occupant such as size and weight. In some examples, one or more signals can be indicative of the seat in which the occupant is seated. This can help determine whether the occupant is facing the direction of travel or opposite the direction of travel. Information can be monitored via one or more sensors 158, perception component 322, sensor system(s) 306, through the vehicle computing device(s) 304 and/or computing device(s) 330 as discussed earlier, or any combination thereof.

In examples, determination, based at least in part on the one or more conditions associated with the triggering event, of a pressure to which to pressurize or inflate and/or depressurize or deflate one or more inflatable bladders 206 can be made by one or more vehicle system(s), such as by localization component 320, perception component 322, planning component 324, and/or safety system 338. In such examples, the control instructions may then be communicated to seat actuator system 200 of occupant protection system 120. The control instructions can be communicated in addition to or be embedded or inherent to a triggering signal sent to the occupant protection system 120.

In examples, seat actuator system 200 and/or seat actuator 202 may cause or be instructed to cause deployment of seat actuator 204 to inflate one or more inflatable bladders 206 with less pressure when a lighter occupant, such as child, is detected as the occupant then when a much heavier occupant, such as a full grown adult, is the occupant. In examples, one or more weight thresholds to classify an occupant as light, average, or heavy for purposes of deployment control.

In examples, seat actuator system 200 may be configured to cause one or more inflatable bladders 206 to pressurize at the same pressure independent of detected conditions.

In examples, seat actuator system 200 may prevent deployment of seat actuator 204 to inflate one or more inflatable bladders 206 when the change in velocity or collision event is minor. In examples, seat actuator system 200 may be configured to include one or more threshold indicators based on which seat actuator system 200 can determine whether to cause deployment of seat actuator 204.

In examples, the determination to deploy seat actuator 204 based on the degree of change in velocity or collision event, based for example on one or more threshold indicators as described above, can be made by one or more other vehicle system(s), such as by one or more of the sensor system(s) 306 of the vehicle, localization component 320, perception component 322, planning component 324, and/or safety system 338, instead of by seat actuator system 200. In such an example, the one or more threshold indicators may be included in one or more other vehicle system(s), and seat actuator system 200 of occupant protection system 120 can cause deployment of seat actuator 204 in direct response to the triggering signal by one or more of the other vehicle system(s).

Examples of threshold indicators may signal the presence of an occupant, a magnitude of a velocity change, a force of impact in a collision, the direction of a collision relative to the vehicle, a force applied onto the occupant in view of the change in velocity or collision event, a velocity of the vehicle, a direction of the vehicle, a pose of the vehicle, the size of the occupant, a weight of the occupant, the position of an occupant or any combination thereof. Additional datapoints may also be used as thresholds. In examples, occupant protection system 120 via seat actuator system 200 and/or actuator controller 202 can cause or be directed to cause deployment of seat actuator 204 with less pressure when the magnitude of a change in velocity is below a preestablished threshold or to delay or avoid deployment if a predicted collision event does not occur within a given time period, or if the collision event is a minor event. As used herein, a minor event refers to an event in which the reaction forces onto the occupant are below a preestablished threshold.

In examples, seat actuator system 200 and/or actuator controller 202 can control the pressure at which one or more inflatable bladders 206 are inflated. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 are pressurized at about 22 kPa. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 are pressurized at about 10 kPa, 15 kPa, 20kPa, 25 kPa, 30 kPa, 40 kPa, 50 kPa, 100kPa, 105 kPa, 200 kPa, or 310 kPa. These pressures are only an example. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 is sufficiently pressurized to compress at least a portion of one or more layers or sections of comfortable foam or comfort material that is proximate, adjacent, or in the vicinity of one or more inflatable bladder 206. In examples, one or more inflatable bladders 206 is inflated to a volume of 0.6 liters.

In some examples, the seat actuator system 200 may be in communication with one or more systems of the vehicle 102 and may be configured to cause activation of seat actuator 204 based at least in part, for example, on one or more signals received from the other systems of the vehicle 102.

In examples, the deployment of the seat actuator may be determined prior to the determination of the change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision and saved for use a later instance. In some instances, one or more deployment parameters may be updated continuously or periodically during the ride in the event the user materially changes position (slouches, leans forward, etc.). In some instances, deployment parameters can be determined using one or more sensors of a vehicle (e.g., a vision camera, a contact sensor, a capacitance sensor, etc.). Determining deployment parameters beforehand (e.g., before a predicted collision) to increase a response time to properly deploy the seat actuator. Moreover, after this initial determination, it is contemplated that the occupant may manually or electronically control the position of the seat. Despite this adjustment by the occupant, in the event of the predicted collision, the seat actuator may deploy according to the pre-determined parameters. In some instances, the deployment parameters may be determined using known characteristic(s) of the occupant and/or a profile (e.g., account) of the occupant, such as height, weight, head size, etc. For example, a vehicle used for mass transportation may communicate with a mobile device of a user or otherwise identify and store a per-user profile including information pertaining to the safe deployment of the seat actuator. In certain instances, the deployment parameters may change depending on the seat orientation, seat configuration, characteristics of the occupant (e.g., weight, height, etc.) and/or may be uniquely associated with a specific seating position within a vehicle. For example, deployment parameters may be different between a rearward-facing occupant, a side-facing occupant, and/or a forward-facing occupant within a vehicle.

In some examples consistent with the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2E the reaction force is applied earlier than if no inflatable bladder 206 had been deployed and thus the energy can be absorbed more gradually across the time period of the compression event, for example, during a collision and/or rapid deceleration of the vehicle 102.

Some examples consistent with the example seatback 124 shown in FIG. 2F may also result in reducing a gap 134 between at least a portion of the back 126 of the occupant 104 to at least a portion of the seatback 124, resulting in a reduced reaction force being transmitted to at least a portion of the back 126 of the occupant 104 during the compression event, for example, during a collision and/or rapid deceleration of the vehicle 102. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be configured so that upon deployment they can decrease a space 134 between seatback 124 and at least a portion of back 126 of occupant 104. In examples, the deployment of one or more inflatable bladders 206 to reduce a space 134 may occur if a space 134 exceeds a threshold distance.

In examples, after the event or collision event, occupant protection system 120 can detect and/or determine cessation of the signal triggering the event or collision event. In accordance with detecting and/or determining cessation of the triggering signal, occupant protection system 120 can allow or control the one or more inflatable bladders 206 of the expandable portion 226 of seat actuator 204 to return to their stowed state. In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 are allowed to deflate. In examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be actively deflated. In examples, active deflation may be carried out by controlling one or more vents 210 to outflow the fluid inside one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, a vacuum can be applied to exhaust the fluid inside one or more inflatable bladders 206. For example, a vacuum may be applied through one or more vents 210. In examples, the expansion device 208 may be operated in reverse to extract fluid from inside one or more inflatable bladders 206. In examples, active deflation of the one or more inflatable bladders 206 may be managed and/or controlled by control system 200 and/or actuator controller 202 via seat actuator 204.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of an example system 300 for implementing the techniques described herein. In at least some examples, the system 300 may include a vehicle 302, which may correspond to the example vehicle 102 shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle 302 may include a vehicle computing device 304, one or more sensor system(s) 306, one or more emitters 308, one or more communication connections 310, at least one direct connection 312, and one or more drive modules 314.

The vehicle computing device 304 may include one or more processors 316 and memory 318 communicatively coupled with the one or more processors 316. In the illustrated example, the vehicle 302 is an autonomous vehicle. However, the vehicle 302 may be any other type of vehicle. In the illustrated example, the memory 318 of the vehicle computing device 304 stores a localization component 320, a perception component 322, a planning component 324, a safety system 338, one or more system controllers 326, one or more map(s) 328, and an example occupant protection system 120. Though depicted in FIG. 3 as residing in memory 318 for illustrative purposes, it is contemplated that the localization component 320, the perception component 322, the planning component 324, the safety system 338, the one or more system controllers 326, the one or more maps 328, and/or the occupant protection system 120 may additionally, or alternatively, be accessible to the vehicle 302 (e.g., stored on, or otherwise accessible by, memory remote from the vehicle 302).

Regarding the example system 300 shown in FIG. 3, in at least some examples, the localization component 320 may be configured to receive data from the sensor system(s) 306 to determine a position and/or orientation of the vehicle 302 (e.g., one or more of an x-, y-, z-position, roll, pitch, or yaw). For example, the localization component 320 may include and/or request/receive a map of an environment and may continuously determine a location and/or orientation of the autonomous vehicle within the map. In some examples, the localization component 320 may utilize SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), CLAMS (calibration, localization and mapping, simultaneously), relative SLAM, bundle adjustment, non-linear least squares optimization, or the like to receive image data, LIDAR sensor data, radar data, IMU data, GPS data, wheel encoder data, and the like to accurately determine a location of the autonomous vehicle. In some examples, the localization component 320 may provide data to various components of the vehicle 302 to determine an initial position of an autonomous vehicle for generating a candidate trajectory, as discussed herein.

In some examples, the perception component 322 may be configured to perform object detection, segmentation, and/or classification. In some examples, the perception component 322 may provide processed sensor data that indicates a presence of an entity that is proximate to the vehicle 302 and/or a classification of the entity as an entity type (e.g., car, pedestrian, cyclist, animal, building, tree, road surface, curb, sidewalk, unknown, etc.). In additional and/or alternative examples, the perception component 322 may provide processed sensor data that indicates one or more characteristics associated with a detected entity and/or the environment in which the entity is positioned. In some examples, characteristics associated with an entity may include, but are not limited to, an x-position (global position), a y-position (global position), a z-position (global position), an orientation (e.g., a roll, pitch, yaw), an entity type (e.g., a classification), a velocity of the entity, an acceleration of the entity, an extent of the entity (size), etc. Characteristics associated with the environment may include, but are not limited to, a presence of another entity in the environment, a state of another entity in the environment, a time of day, a day of a week, a season, a weather condition, an indication of darkness/light, etc.

In general, the planning component 324 may determine a path for the vehicle 302 to follow to traverse through an environment. For example, the planning component 324 may determine various routes and trajectories and various levels of detail. For example, the planning component 324 may determine a route to travel from a first location (e.g., a current location) to a second location (e.g., a target location). For the purpose of this discussion, a route may be a sequence of waypoints for travelling between two locations. As non-limiting examples, waypoints include streets, intersections, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, etc. Further, the planning component 324 may generate an instruction for guiding the autonomous vehicle along at least a portion of the route from the first location to the second location. In at least one example, the planning component 324 may determine how to guide the autonomous vehicle from a first waypoint in the sequence of waypoints to a second waypoint in the sequence of waypoints. In some examples, the instruction may be a trajectory or a portion of a trajectory. In some examples, multiple trajectories may be substantially simultaneously generated (e.g., within technical tolerances) in accordance with a receding horizon technique, wherein one of the multiple trajectories is selected for the vehicle 302 to navigate.

In at least one example, the planning component 324 may determine a location of a user based on image data of an environment received from the user using, for example, bags of binary words with image-based features, artificial neural network, and the like. Further, the planning component 324 may determine a pickup location associated with a location. A pickup location may be a specific location (e.g., a parking space, a loading zone, a portion of a ground surface, etc.) within a threshold distance of a location (e.g., an address or location associated with a dispatch request) where the vehicle 302 may stop to pick up a passenger. In at least one example, the planning component 324 may determine a pickup location based at least in part on determining a user identity (e.g., determined via image recognition or received as an indication from a user device, as discussed herein).

In other examples, the planning component 324 may alternatively, or additionally, use data from the perception component 322 to determine a path for the vehicle 302 to follow to traverse through an environment. For example, the planning component 324 may receive data from the perception component 322 regarding objects associated with an environment. Using this data, the planning component 324 may determine a route to travel from a first location (e.g., a current location) to a second location (e.g., a target location) to avoid objects in an environment. In at least some examples, such a planning component 324 may determine there is no such collision free path and, in turn, provide a path which brings vehicle 302 to a safe stop avoiding all collisions and/or otherwise mitigating damage. In examples, in conjunction with bringing vehicle 302 to a safe stop and/or mitigating damage in the event of a collision or predicted collision, planning component 324 can generate a trigger signal for occupant protection system 120.

In examples, a safety system 338 may be used in addition to planning component 324 as a redundant safety mechanism to provide a triggering signal to the occupant protection system 120. In examples, the safety system 338 may also generate and/or communicate occupant related information that can be used as a deployment parameter.

In examples, the safety system 338 in addition to or in place of the planning component 324 may alternatively, or additionally, use data from the perception component 322, the one or more sensor system(s) 306, and/or the localization component 320, to determine whether a path for the vehicle 302 through an environment will require a sudden change in velocity, a hard stop, or if a collision is unavoidable. For example, safety system 338 may receive data from the perception component 322, the one or more sensor system(s) 306, and/or the localization component 320, regarding objects associated with an environment. Using this data, the safety system 338 may determine a required change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision and, in turn, provide a triggering signal to the occupant protection system 120.

In examples, planning component 324 and/or safety system 338 may determine an impact location between the vehicle 302 and the object based at least in part on trajectories of the vehicle 302 and/or the object. For example, planning component 324 and/or safety system 338 may determine that the intersection between the vehicle 302 and the object is on a side, front, rear, etc. of the vehicle 302. In some instances, planning component 324 and/or safety system 338 may determine whether the vehicle 302 includes rearward facing occupant(s) and/or forward facing occupant(s) within the vehicle 302, using the trajectory of the vehicle 302 and/or the sensor(s) 306 and/or 158.

In some instances, planning component 324 and/or safety system 338 may be configured to determine a time associated with change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision, or whether the change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision is imminent. The time may be a particular time, such as, for example, 120 milliseconds after 3:05pm, or it may be a time interval from a time in which change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision was determined. The time may be determined based on a measured closure rate of the object toward the vehicle 302, a velocity of the vehicle 302, an acceleration of the vehicle 302, a velocity of the object, an acceleration of the object, road conditions, weather conditions, and/or other factors that may affect a closure rate of the object toward the vehicle 302, or vice versa. In such instances, planning component 324 and/or safety system 338 may transmit a triggering signal to the occupant protection system 120 in advance, and with enough time, for deployment of the seat actuator 204 prior to the change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision.

In at least one example, the vehicle computing device 304 may include one or more system controllers 326, which may be configured to control steering, propulsion, braking, safety, emitters, communication, and other systems of the vehicle 302. These system controller(s) 326 may communicate with and/or control corresponding systems of the drive module(s) 314 and/or other components of the vehicle 302.

The memory 318 may further include one or more map(s) 328 that may be used by the vehicle 302 to navigate within the environment. For the purpose of this application, a map may be any number of data structures modeled in two dimensions, three dimensions, or N dimensions that are capable of providing information about an environment, such as, but not limited to, topologies (such as intersections), streets, mountain ranges, roads, terrain, and the environment in general. In some examples, a map may include, but is not limited to: texture information (e.g., color information (e.g., RGB color information, Lab color information, HSV/HSL color information), and the like), intensity information (e.g., LIDAR information, RADAR information, and the like); spatial information (e.g., image data projected onto a mesh, individual “surfels” (e.g., polygons associated with individual color and/or intensity)), reflectivity information (e.g., specularity information, retroreflectivity information, BRDF information, BSSRDF information, and the like). In one example, a map may include a three-dimensional mesh of the environment. In some examples, the map may be stored in a tiled format, such that individual tiles of the map represent a discrete portion of an environment and may be loaded into working memory as needed. In at least one example, the one or more maps 328 may include at least one map (e.g., images and/or a mesh). In some examples, the vehicle 302 may be controlled based at least in part on the maps 328. That is, the maps 328 may be used in connection with the localization component 320, the perception component 322, and/or the planning component 324 to determine a location of the vehicle 302, identify objects in an environment, and/or generate routes and/or trajectories to navigate within an environment.

In some examples, the one or more map(s) 328 may be stored on a remote computing device(s) (such as computing device(s) 330) accessible via one or more network(s) 332. In some examples, multiple maps 328 may be stored based on, for example, a characteristic (e.g., type of entity, time of day, day of week, season of the year, etc.). Storing multiple maps 328 may have similar memory requirements but increase the speed at which data in a map may be accessed.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some examples, the logical or control portions of occupant protection system 120, including instructions to control operation of the seat actuator system 200 and actuator controller 204, may be stored in the memory 318 of the computing device 304 of the vehicle 302 or remote from the vehicle 302 in the memory 334 of the computing device(s) 330. In some examples, some portions of the occupant protection system 120 may be stored in the memory 318 of the computing device 304 of the vehicle 302, and other portions of the occupant protection system 120 may be stored remotely in the memory 334 of the computing device(s) 330, and the separately located portions of the occupant protection system 120 may operate together in a coordinated manner.

In some examples, one or more triggering signals may be generated by components other than or in addition to planning component 324 and/or safety system 338. For example, the one or more of sensor system(s) 306, the localization component 320, or the perception component 322 can also be configured to generate a triggering signal for occupant protection system 120. In examples, the one or more of sensor system(s) 306, the localization component 320, the perception component 322, the planning component 324, and/or safety system 338 may generate one or more triggering signals indicative of one or more of an actual change in velocity of the vehicle 302 or a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle 302, for example, due to a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision involving the vehicle 302. Additionally, or alternatively, the occupant protection system 120 itself may generate the triggering signal.

In examples, one or more of the sensor system(s) 306 may generate one or more signals indicative of an object (e.g., another vehicle, a wall, a guardrail, a bridge support, a utility pole, and/or a pedestrian) and communicate the one or more signals to the perception component 322 the planning component 324, and/or safety system 338, which may predict a collision with an object in the environment through which the vehicle 302 is travelling and trigger a signal accordingly.

In examples, upon detection of a triggering signal from the one or more sensor system(s) 306, localization component 320, perception component 322, planning component 324, and/or safety system 338, seat actuator system 200 of the occupant protection system 120 may be configured to provide one or more signals to the actuator controller 202, which may activate the seat actuator 204 and cause an increase in stiffness of at least a portion of seatback 124. As described herein, in some examples, the seat actuator 204 may cause an increase in stiffness by increasing pressure in or inflating one or more inflatable bladders 206 located in seatback 124, thereby compressing at least a portion of a comfort foam or comfort material in seatback 124 and expedite application of an initial reaction force F to which the occupant 104 is subject through earlier engagement of the energy absorbing material in seatback 124.

In some examples, the seat actuator system 200 may be configured to receive one or more occupant presence signals indicative of a presence of an occupant 104 in a seat 106. In some such examples, the actuator controller 202 may be configured to cause, based at least in part on the one or more occupant presence signals, the seat actuator 204 to increase a stiffness of at least a portion of the seatback 124 of the seat 106. In some examples, the seat actuator system 200 may be further configured to either receive information or determine, based at least in part on the occupant presence signal, that the occupant 104 is facing rearward (e.g., opposite relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle 302 and/or in the event of a collision or predicted collision the direction opposite to the direction from which vehicle 302 collides or is predicted to collide with an object), and cause, based at least in part on determining that the occupant 104 is facing rearward, the seat actuator 204 to increase pressure in the one or more inflatable bladders. In examples, the perception component 322 of the vehicle 302 may include an object classification system configured to determine information related, for example, to whether an occupant 104 is present in one or more of the respective seats 106 of the vehicle 302. In examples, the information may be provided by safety system 338. In examples, the above information may be received by one or more other vehicle system(s), such as one or more sensor system(s) 306, localization component 320, perception component 322, planning component 324, and/or safety system 338, which may be configured to determine the desired stiffness of at least a portion of seatback 124 and which may be configured to transmit the respective deployment control information to seat actuator system 200 of occupant protection system 120 along with or as part of a trigger signal.

In some examples, the object classification system may leverage one or more of the sensor system(s) 306 of the vehicle 302 and determine information about the occupant 104, such as, for example, the size and/or weight of the occupant 104 (e.g., whether the occupant 104 is an adult, a child, or an infant). For example, image systems (e.g., cameras) internal to the vehicle 302 may determine presence of an occupant 104 in a seat 106. One or more sensors 158 as previously described may be used in conjunction with, in place of, and/or be part of perception component 322 or sensor system 306. The information about occupant 104 can be transmitted directly to occupant protection system 120 and/or can be transmitted to one or more vehicle system(s) such as the planning system 324, and/or the safety system 338, which then generate a signal to send to occupant protection system 120.

If, for example, no occupant 104 is present in a seat 106, then it may be determined not activate the seat actuator 204. This may prevent unnecessary activation and prevent costs associated with servicing activated parts of the occupant protection system 120. Alternatively, if an occupant 104 is present in the seat 106, the actuator controller 202 may cause activation of a seat actuator 204 associated with the position of the occupant 104 to protect the occupant 104 during the collision. In at least some examples, the type of occupant 104 detected may be used to inform other parameters of such a system (e.g., lower activation rates or pressures for children or smaller occupants, etc.). In some examples, the seat actuator system 200 and/or other vehicle system(s) such as one or more sensor system(s) 306, localization component 320, perception component 322, planning component 324, and/or safety system 338, may be further configured to determine, based at least in part on the occupant presence signal, that the occupant 104 is facing rearward (e.g., facing the opposite direction to a direction of travel of the vehicle 302 and/or in the event of a collision or predicted collision the direction opposite to the direction from which vehicle 302 collides or is predicted to collide with an object), and have seat actuator system 200 cause, based at least in part on determining that the occupant 104 is facing rearward, the seat actuator 204 to increase the stiffness of at least a portion of the seatback 124 of the seat 106.

The seat actuator system 200, in some examples, may be configured to receive one or more direction signals indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle 302, and cause, based at least in part on the direction signal, the seat actuator 204 to increase the pressure in one or more inflatable bladders 206. For example, the vehicle 302 may be a bidirectional vehicle configured to travel between locations with either end of the vehicle 302 being the leading end, for example, as described herein with respect to FIG. 1. In such vehicles, a seat 106 may be facing the direction of travel when the vehicle 302 is traveling with one end of the vehicle 302 being the leading end, or may be facing rearward (opposite the direction of travel) when the other end of the vehicle 302 is the leading end. The vehicle 302 may include sensors and/or a system configured to generate one or more signals indicative of whether the vehicle 302 is traveling in a direction such that the seat 106 is facing forward (i.e., in the direction of travel) or the seat 106 is facing rearward (i.e., opposite the direction of travel). The seat actuator system 200 may be configured to prevent activation of the seat actuator 204 associated with the seat 106, even when occupied, for example, when the seat 106 is facing forward based at least in part on the signals. This may prevent unnecessary activation and costs associated with servicing activated parts of the occupant protection system 120. Alternatively, if the seat 106 is facing rearward and an occupant 104 is present in the seat 106, the actuator controller 202 may activate the seat actuator 204 associated with the position of the seat 106 to protect the occupant 104 during the collision, for example, as described herein.

In examples, the above direction information may be received by one of the other vehicle system(s), such as one or more sensor system(s) 306, localization component 320, perception component 322, planning component 324, and/or safety system 338, which may then be configured to, based at least in part on the direction signal, provide deployment instructions to seat actuator system 200 to cause seat actuator 204 to increase the pressure in one or more inflatable bladders 206.

In some examples, aspects of some or all of the components discussed herein may include any models, algorithms, and/or machine learning algorithms. For example, in some examples, the components in the memory 318 and/or the memory 334 may be implemented as a neural network.

As described herein, an exemplary neural network is a biologically inspired algorithm which passes input data through a series of connected layers to produce an output. Each layer in a neural network may also include another neural network or may include any number of layers (whether convolutional or not). As may be understood in the context of this disclosure, a neural network may utilize machine learning, which may refer to a broad class of such algorithms in which an output is generated based on learned parameters.

Although discussed in the context of neural networks, any type of machine learning may be used consistent with this disclosure. For example, machine learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, regression algorithms (e.g., ordinary least squares regression (OLSR), linear regression, logistic regression, stepwise regression, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS)), instance-based algorithms (e.g., ridge regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), elastic net, least-angle regression (LARS)), decisions tree algorithms (e.g., classification and regression tree (CART), iterative dichotomiser 3 (ID3), Chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID), decision stump, conditional decision trees), Bayesian algorithms (e.g., naïve Bayes, Gaussian naïve Bayes, multinomial naïve Bayes, average one-dependence estimators (AODE), Bayesian belief network (BNN), Bayesian networks), clustering algorithms (e.g., k-means, k-medians, expectation maximization (EM), hierarchical clustering), association rule learning algorithms (e.g., perceptron, back-propagation, hopfield network, Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN)), deep learning algorithms (e.g., Deep Boltzmann Machine (DBM), Deep Belief Networks (DBN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Stacked Auto-Encoders), Dimensionality Reduction Algorithms (e.g., Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Principal Component Regression (PCR), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Sammon Mapping, Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), Projection Pursuit, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Mixture Discriminant Analysis (MDA), Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA), Flexible Discriminant Analysis (FDA)), Ensemble Algorithms (e.g., Boosting, Bootstrapped Aggregation (Bagging), AdaBoost, Stacked Generalization (blending), Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM), Gradient Boosted Regression Trees (GBRT), Random Forest), SVM (support vector machine), supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, etc.

Additional examples of architectures include neural networks, such as, for example, ResNet70, ResNet101, VGG, DenseNet, PointNet, and the like.

In at least one example, the sensor system(s) 306 may include LIDAR sensors, radar sensors, ultrasonic transducers, sonar sensors, location sensors (e.g., GPS, compass, etc.), inertial sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units (IMUs), accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, etc.), cameras (e.g., RGB, IR, intensity, depth, time-of-flight (TOF), etc.), microphones, wheel encoders, environment sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), etc. The sensor system(s) 306 may include multiple examples of each of these or other types of sensors. For example, the LIDAR sensors may include individual LIDAR sensors located at the corners, front, back, sides, and/or top of the vehicle 302. As another example, the camera sensors may include multiple cameras disposed at various locations about the exterior and/or interior of the vehicle 302. The sensor system(s) 306 may provide input to the vehicle computing device 304. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor system(s) 306 may send sensor data, via the one or more networks 332, to the one or more computing device(s) 330 at a particular frequency, after a lapse of a predetermined period of time, in near real-time, etc.

The vehicle 302 may also include one or more emitters 308 for emitting light and/or sound, as described above. The emitters 308 in this example include interior audio and visual emitters to communicate with passengers of the vehicle 302. By way of example and not limitation, interior emitters may include speakers, lights, signs, display screens, touch screens, haptic emitters (e.g., vibration and/or force feedback), mechanical actuators (e.g., seatbelt tensioners, seat positioners, headrest positioners, etc.), and the like. The emitters 308 in this example also include exterior emitters. By way of example and not limitation, the exterior emitters in this example include lights to signal a direction of travel or other indicator of vehicle action (e.g., indicator lights, signs, light arrays, etc.), and one or more audio emitters (e.g., speakers, speaker arrays, horns, etc.) to audibly communicate with pedestrians or other nearby vehicles, one or more of which including acoustic beam steering technology.

The vehicle 302 may also include one or more communication connection(s) 310 that enable communication between the vehicle 302 and one or more other local or remote computing device(s). For example, the communication connection(s) 310 may facilitate communication with other local computing device(s) on the vehicle 302 and/or the drive module(s) 314. Also, the communication connection(s) 310 may allow the vehicle 302 to communicate with other nearby computing device(s) (e.g., other nearby vehicles, traffic signals, etc.). The communications connection(s) 310 also enable the vehicle 302 to communicate with a remote teleoperations computing device or other remote services.

The communications connection(s) 310 may include physical and/or logical interfaces for connecting the vehicle computing device 304 to another computing device or a network, such as network(s) 332. For example, the communications connection(s) 310 may enable Wi-Fi-based communication, such as via frequencies defined by the IEEE 802.11 standards, short range wireless frequencies such as Bluetooth®, cellular communication (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, etc.) or any suitable wired or wireless communications protocol that enables the respective computing device to interface with the other computing device(s).

In at least one example, the vehicle 302 may include one or more drive modules 314. In some examples, the vehicle 302 may have a single drive module 314. In at least one example, if the vehicle 302 has multiple drive modules 314, individual drive modules 314 may be positioned on opposite ends of the vehicle 302 (e.g., the leading end and the rear, etc.). In at least one example, the drive module(s) 314 may include one or more sensor systems to detect conditions of the drive module(s) 314 and/or the surroundings of the vehicle 302. By way of example and not limitation, the sensor system(s) 306 may include one or more wheel encoders (e.g., rotary encoders) to sense rotation of the wheels (e.g., wheels 110 in FIG. 1) of the drive modules, inertial sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, etc.) to measure orientation and acceleration of the drive module, cameras or other image sensors, ultrasonic sensors to acoustically detect objects in the surroundings of the drive module, LIDAR sensors, radar sensors, etc. Some sensors, such as the wheel encoders may be unique to the drive module(s) 314. In some cases, the sensor system(s) on the drive module(s) 314 may overlap or supplement corresponding systems of the vehicle 302 (e.g., sensor system(s) 306).

The stopped here drive module(s) 314 may include many of the vehicle systems, including a high voltage battery, a motor to propel the vehicle, an inverter to convert direct current from the battery into alternating current for use by other vehicle systems, a steering system including a steering motor and steering rack (which may be electric), a braking system including hydraulic or electric actuators, a suspension system including hydraulic and/or pneumatic components, a stability control system for distributing brake forces to mitigate loss of traction and maintain control, an HVAC system, lighting (e.g., lighting such as head/tail lights to illuminate an exterior surrounding of the vehicle), and one or more other systems (e.g., cooling system, safety systems, onboard charging system, other electrical components such as a DC/DC converter, a high voltage junction, a high voltage cable, charging system, charge port, etc.). Additionally, the drive module(s) 314 may include a drive module controller, which may receive and preprocess data from the sensor system(s) 306 and to control operation of the various vehicle systems. In some examples, the drive module controller may include one or more processors and memory communicatively coupled with the one or more processors. The memory may store one or more modules to perform various functionalities of the drive module(s) 314. Furthermore, the drive module(s) 314 also include one or more communication connection(s) that enable communication by the respective drive module with one or more other local or remote computing device(s).

In at least one example, the direct connection 312 may provide a physical interface to couple the one or more drive module(s) 314 with the body of the vehicle 302. For example, the direct connection 312 may allow the transfer of energy, fluids, air, data, etc. between the drive module(s) 314 and the vehicle 302. In some examples, the direct connection 312 may further releasably secure the drive module(s) 314 to the body of the vehicle 302.

In at least one example, the localization component 320, perception component 322, the planning component 324, and/or the occupant protection system 120 may process sensor data, as described above, and may send their respective outputs, over the one or more network(s) 332, to one or more computing device(s) 330. In at least one example, the localization component 320, the perception component 322, the planning component 324, and/or the occupant protection system 120 may send their respective outputs to the one or more computing device(s) 330 at a particular frequency, after a lapse of a predetermined period of time, in near real-time, etc.

The processor(s) 316 of the vehicle 302 and/or the processor(s) 336 of the computing device(s) 330 may include any suitable processor capable of executing instructions to process data and perform operations as described herein. By way of example and not limitation, the processor(s) 316 and 336 may include one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), or any other device or portion of a device that processes electronic data to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that may be stored in registers and/or memory. In some examples, integrated circuits (e.g., ASICs, etc.), gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs, etc.), and other hardware devices may also be considered processors in so far as they are configured to implement encoded instructions.

Memory 318 and 334 are examples of non-transitory computer-readable media. The memory 318 and 334 may store an operating system and one or more software applications, instructions, programs, and/or data to implement the methods described herein and the functions attributed to the various systems. In various implementations, the memory may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory capable of storing information. The architectures, systems, and individual elements described herein may include many other logical, programmatic, and physical components, of which those shown in the accompanying figures are merely examples that are related to the discussion herein.

In some examples, for example as shown in FIG. 3, the occupant protection system 120 may include the seat actuator system 200, including the actuator controller 202 configured to control the seat actuator 204, and/or a seatbelt system 140. In examples, occupant protection system 120 and/or actuator system 200 may be configured to carry out the operations described. As shown in FIG. 3, the seat actuator system 200 and the seatbelt system 140 may be associated with one or more of the vehicle computing device 304 on board the vehicle 302 or the remote computing device(s) 330.

It should be noted that while FIG. 3 is illustrated as a distributed system, in alternative examples, components of the vehicle 302 may be associated with the computing device(s) 330, and/or components of the computing device(s) 330 may be associated with the vehicle 302. That is, the vehicle 302 may perform one or more of the functions associated with the computing device(s) 330 and vice versa.

In various implementations, the parameter values and other data illustrated herein may be included in one or more data stores and may be combined with other information not described or may be partitioned differently into more, fewer, or different data structures. In some implementations, data stores may be physically located in one memory or may be distributed among two or more memories.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example architecture 300 shown in FIG. 3 is merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, the computing system and devices may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices, internet appliances, tablet computers, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. The architecture 300 may also be connected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated components may in some implementations be combined in fewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some implementations, the functionality of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and/or other additional functionality may be available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various items are illustrated as being stored in memory or storage while being used, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposes of memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in other implementations, some or all of the software components may execute in memory on another device and communicate with the illustrated architecture 300. Some or all of the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on a non-transitory, computer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by an appropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. In some implementations, instructions stored on a computer-accessible medium separate from the architecture 300 may be transmitted to the architecture 300 via transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a wireless link. Various implementations may further include receiving, sending, or storing instructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoing description on a computer-accessible medium. Accordingly, the techniques described herein may be practiced with other control system configurations. Additional information about the operations of the modules of the vehicle 102 is discussed below.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the magnitude of the force imparted to the chest or torso of a crash test for an adult dummy due deceleration during an event with and without implementation of an occupant protection system 120 as described herein. This graph is only an example and used to illustrate the effects of the occupant protection system 120 at least on the chest of an occupant. As stated throughout this disclosure, the system can relieve an occupant of reaction forces overall and thus can also decrease neck compression and/or other forces that could result in injury to an occupant. In the illustrated examples, the graph shows the deceleration profile of the chest or torso of an occupant at the time of the event or collision event starting at time t0 and proceeding through the event illustrating deceleration inflexion points at different times during the event. As illustrated, in examples, absent an occupant protection system 120 as described herein, at t0, i.e. at the very beginning of the event the occupant is moving with the vehicle and thus experiences little to no deceleration. As the event occurs, the occupant body will commence pressing against the first or front surface 132 of seatback 124. As the comfort foam or comfort material compresses the chest may commence to experience a reaction force but only minimally thus, deceleration would also be minimal as indicated by broken line 416 at time t1 seconds. Once the comfort foam or comfort material is compressed, the energy absorbing material is engaged and at that point the graph illustrates a steep inflection point as the reaction force to the chest suddenly increases and deceleration ultimately peaks at time t2. In contrast, during the same test engaging occupant protection system 120, where a single inflatable bladder 206, located at the thoracic region of seatback 124 between two layers of comfort foam material consecutively layered inside of first or front surface 132 of seatback 124, is deployed at the time of the event, i.e. at time t0, the reaction force to the chest indicated by solid line 418 is engaged sooner and thus deceleration also beings earlier. By absorbing the energy earlier, the peak reaction force and thus peak deceleration are lower. By deploying the inflatable bladder, the layers of comfort foam may be pre-compressed and thus the energy absorbing material layers provided behind the comfort foam can be engaged sooner. As such, the chest deceleration commences earlier, at about t1 . Also, an inflexion point of the deceleration, solid line 418, occurs sooner and with a slope that is less steep. Because of the earlier engagement and thus earlier start in energy absorption, the peak of the reaction force imparted to the chest and thus resulting deceleration at t2 is lowered. In examples, the peak magnitude of the force imparted to the chest can reduced by Δ of 10% to 30% using the occupant protection system.

This illustrates the safety benefits that may be derived from a seatback occupant protection system such as the occupant protection system 120 as described herein.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example process illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flow graph, which represent a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the blocks represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the processes.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example process 500 for protecting an occupant of a vehicle. At 502, the example process 500 may include receiving at 502 first sensor data from one or more sensors that may be used at 504 to determine eat least one of a change in velocity of a vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision involving the vehicle, or a predicted collision involving the vehicle. A trigger signal to deploy seat actuator 204 may be set in conjunction with the determination of at least one of a change in velocity of a vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision involving the vehicle, or a predicted collision involving the vehicle.

Optionally, operations 506 to 514, additional data from one or more sensors can be received and analyzed to confirm deployment and/or control deployment as discussed earlier. The information used during these operations may include occupant information, event information, or other data that can be used as deployment parameter. In examples where deployment occurs, the additional information may be used to determine deployment control such as, for example, pressurization level of one or more inflatable bladders 206, depressurization rate, selective and/or delayed deployment of an inflatable bladder 206, or any other previously described control.

For example, the information from operation 506 may be used at operation 508 to determine if a rearward facing occupant is present. As used herein, a rearward facing occupant can be an occupant that is seated facing a direction opposite the direction of travel and/or in the event of a collision or predicted collision, an occupant facing a direction opposite the direction in which the vehicle is colliding or predicted to collide with an object. As described earlier, this may include, for example, receiving an occupant presence signal indicative of a presence of an occupant in a seat, and determining, based at least in part on the occupant presence signal, whether an occupant is present in a seat. For example, an object classification system and/or other portions of vehicle systems may generate signals indicative of whether an occupant is present in a seat of the vehicle, and in some examples, one or more signals indicative of the seat in which the occupant is seated. The process 500, in some examples, may include receiving a direction signal indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle. Based at least in part on one or more of the occupant presence signal or the direction signal, the process may be configured to determine whether the occupant is facing rearward. If at 508 it is determined that a rearward facing occupant is absent, the process may determine at 510 to not deploy the seat actuator 204. In examples, if at 508 it is determined that a rearward facing occupant is present, the process may proceed to assess additional information. For example, at operation 512, additional information may be evaluated to determine the event type, i.e. a velocity change, a collision, a predicted velocity change, a predicted collision, as well as additional information if available such as degree of velocity change, level of collision impact, direction of impact and like information. Final determination of deployment and/or deployment control can be based on the additional information at operation 514.

As discussed earlier, deployment determination and/or deployment control can be based on one or more parameters or thresholds reflecting one or more of occupant presence, type of event reflecting the triggering event, occupant parameters such as size, position, weight, or any combination thereof or with any of the previously mentioned parameters. For example, if at operation 514 it is determined that the event or collision event is minor, and thus for example below a threshold value as previously described, then deployment may not be necessary even if a collision event is occurring and the process moves to operation 510. If on the other hand, at operation 514 it is determined that the event or collision event is above a threshold, then seat actuator 204 may be deployed.

If it is determined that deployment is necessary, then at operation 516 actuator controller 202 causes seat actuator 204 to deploy by engaging one or more expansion devices 208 to pressurize or inflate one or more inflatable bladders 206 in seatback 124. In so doing, the deployed inflatable bladders 206 compress at least in part one or more layers or sections of comfort foam or comfort material and increase the stiffness of at least a portion of a seatback during a collision event.

In some examples, at 516, the example process 500 may cause a reaction force from the seatback against at least a portion of the back of the occupant to increase from a minimal reaction force to a first reaction force more quickly. For example, the seatback may exhibit a reaction force F against the at least a portion of the back of the occupant that increases from a minimal reaction force (e.g., a zero reaction force F) to a first reaction force without a delay that could otherwise be caused while the comfort foam or comfort material compresses.

In some examples, the one or more inflatable bladders 206 are allowed to return to a stowed state or may be actively deflated to return to a stowed state at 510 after deployment, and/or after cessation of the triggering signal is detected or determined.

It should be appreciated that the subject matter presented herein may be implemented as a computer process, a computer-controlled apparatus, a computing system, or an article of manufacture, such as a computer-readable storage medium. While the subject matter described herein is presented in the general context of program modules that execute on one or more computing devices, those skilled in the art will recognize that other implementations may be performed in combination with other types of program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that aspects of the subject matter described herein may be practiced on or in conjunction with other computer system configurations beyond those described herein, including multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, handheld computers, mobile telephone devices, tablet computing devices, special-purposed hardware devices, network appliances, and the like.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies for deploying an occupant protection system have been presented herein. Moreover, although the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to computer structural features, methodological acts, and computer readable media, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features, acts, or media described herein. Rather, the specific features, acts, and media are disclosed as example forms of implementing the subject matter recited in the claims.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the examples and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims.

Example Clauses

A. A seat configured to be coupled to a vehicle, comprising: a seat base configured to support at least a portion of weight of an occupant of the seat; a seatback associated with the seat base and configured to provide support to a back of the occupant; a seat actuator configured to modify a stiffness of a portion of the seatback; and an actuator controller in communication with the seat actuator and configured to: receive a triggering signal indicative of one or more of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision; and cause, based at least in part on the triggering signal, the seat actuator to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback.

B. The seat as recited in paragraph A, wherein the triggering signal is responsive to a collision or a predicted collision with an object located behind the seatback.

C. The seat as recited in paragraph A or B, wherein to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback, the seat actuator is configured to expand an expandable portion located in the seatback.

D. The seat as recited in paragraph C, wherein the actuator is further configured to: receive a seating position of an occupant; and receive a direction of travel of the vehicle, and wherein causing the seat actuator to expand the expandable portion of the seatback is further based at least in part on one or more of the seating position or the direction of travel.

E. The seat as recited in any one of paragraphs A to D, wherein the portion of the seatback comprises a first portion facing the back of the occupant, the first portion comprising a first material, and wherein the seatback further comprises: a second portion, opposite the first portion, the second portion comprising a second material, wherein the seat actuator comprises an expandable portion located between the first portion and the second portion.

F. The seat as recited in paragraph E, wherein the first material comprises an elastomeric foam and the second material is configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load.

G. The seat as recited in any one of paragraphs A to F, wherein the seat actuator comprises: an expandable portion comprising an inflatable bladder; and an expansion device in flow communication with the inflatable bladder and configured to cause the inflatable bladder to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state.

H. The seat as recited in paragraph G, wherein: the portion of the seatback comprises a first portion facing the back of the occupant; and the expandable portion of the seat actuator comprises two or more inflatable bladders configured to expand between the first portion and a second portion of the seatback opposite the first portion.

I. The seat as recited in paragraph H, wherein the two or more inflatable bladders are independently operated, and wherein a first one of the two or more inflatable bladders is at a first location of the seatback and a second one of the two or more inflatable bladders is at a second location, different from the first location, of the seatback.

J. The seat as recited in any one of paragraphs G to I, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises two or more chambers.

K. An occupant protection system for a vehicle, the occupant protection system comprising: a seat configured to be coupled to a vehicle, the seat comprising: a seat base configured to support at least a portion of weight of an occupant of the seat; a seatback associated with the seat base and configured to provide support to a back of the occupant; a seat actuator configured to modify a stiffness of a portion of the seatback; and an actuator controller in communication with the seat actuator and configured to: receive a triggering signal indicative of one or more of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision; and cause, based at least in part on the triggering signal, the seat actuator to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback.

L. The occupant protection system as recited in paragraph K, wherein to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback, the seat actuator is configured to expand at least an expandable portion located in the seatback.

M. The occupant protection system as recited in paragraph K or L, wherein the seat actuator comprises: an expandable portion comprising an inflatable bladder; and an expansion device in flow communication with the inflatable bladder and configured to cause to the inflatable bladder to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state.

N. An occupant protection system as recited in any one of paragraphs K to M, wherein the portion of the seatback comprises a first portion facing the back of the occupant, the first portion comprising an elastomeric material, and wherein the seatback further comprises: a second portion, opposite the first portion, configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load, wherein the seat actuator comprises an expandable portion located between the first portion and the second portion configured to compress the elastomeric material upon expanding.

O. A method for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a triggering signal indicative of at least one of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision; and causing, based at least in part on the triggering signal, a seat actuator to change a stiffness a portion of a seatback that faces at least a portion of a back of an occupant from a first stiffness to a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

P. The method as recited in paragraph O, wherein causing the seat actuator to change the stiffness of the portion of the seatback comprises increasing a pressure in a portion of the seat actuator that comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the inflatable bladder is located in an internal portion of the seatback.

Q. The method as recited in paragraph P, wherein increasing the pressure in the portion of the seat actuator that comprises the inflatable bladder comprises activating an expansion device operably connected to the inflatable bladder to deploy the inflatable bladder.

R. The method as recited in paragraph Q, wherein increasing the pressure in the portion of the seat actuator that comprises the inflatable bladder comprises injecting into the inflatable bladder a fluid comprising a liquid, a gas, or a combination thereof.

S. The method as recited in paragraph Q or R, wherein causing the seat actuator to change the stiffness of the portion of the seatback comprises: pressurizing a portion of the seat actuator that comprises a first inflatable bladder located at a first location inside the seatback; pressurizing a portion of the seat actuator that comprises a second inflatable bladder located at a second location, different from the first location, inside the seatback; or pressurizing the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.

T. The method as recited in any one of paragraphs O to S, further comprising: determining cessation of the triggering signal; and causing the portion of the seat actuator to return the portion of the seatback to the first stiffness.

While the example clauses described above are described with respect to particular implementations, it should be understood that, in the context of this document, the content of the example clauses can be implemented via a method, device, system, a computer-readable medium, and/or another implementation. Additionally, any of examples A-T may be implemented alone or in combination with any other one or more of the examples A-T. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat configured to be coupled to a vehicle, comprising: a seat base configured to support at least a portion of weight of an occupant of the seat; a seatback associated with the seat base and configured to provide support to a back of the occupant; a seat actuator configured to modify a stiffness of a portion of the seatback; and an actuator controller in communication with the seat actuator and configured to: receive a triggering signal indicative of one or more of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision; and cause, based at least in part on the triggering signal, the seat actuator to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback.
 2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the triggering signal is responsive to a collision or a predicted collision with an object located behind the seatback.
 3. The seat of claim 1, wherein to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback, the seat actuator is configured to expand an expandable portion located in the seatback.
 4. The seat of claim 3, wherein the actuator is further configured to: receive a seating position of an occupant; and receive a direction of travel of the vehicle, and wherein causing the seat actuator to expand the expandable portion of the seatback is further based at least in part on one or more of the seating position or the direction of travel.
 5. The seat of claim 1, wherein the portion of the seatback comprises a first portion facing the back of the occupant, the first portion comprising a first material, and wherein the seatback further comprises: a second portion, opposite the first portion, the second portion comprising a second material, wherein the seat actuator comprises an expandable portion located between the first portion and the second portion.
 6. The seat of claim 5, wherein the first material comprises an elastomeric foam and the second material is configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load.
 7. The seat of claim 1, wherein the seat actuator comprises: an expandable portion comprising an inflatable bladder; and an expansion device in flow communication with the inflatable bladder and configured to cause the inflatable bladder to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state.
 8. The seat of claim 7, wherein: the portion of the seatback comprises a first portion facing the back of the occupant; and the expandable portion of the seat actuator comprises two or more inflatable bladders configured to expand between the first portion and a second portion of the seatback opposite the first portion.
 9. The seat of claim 8, wherein the two or more inflatable bladders are independently operated, and wherein a first one of the two or more inflatable bladders is at a first location of the seatback and a second one of the two or more inflatable bladders is at a second location, different from the first location, of the seatback.
 10. The seat of claim 7, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises two or more chambers.
 11. An occupant protection system for a vehicle, the occupant protection system comprising: a seat configured to be coupled to a vehicle, the seat comprising: a seat base configured to support at least a portion of weight of an occupant of the seat; a seatback associated with the seat base and configured to provide support to a back of the occupant; a seat actuator configured to modify a stiffness of a portion of the seatback; and an actuator controller in communication with the seat actuator and configured to: receive a triggering signal indicative of one or more of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision; and cause, based at least in part on the triggering signal, the seat actuator to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback.
 12. The occupant protection system of claim 11, wherein to modify the stiffness of the portion of the seatback, the seat actuator is configured to expand at least an expandable portion located in the seatback.
 13. The occupant protection system of claim 11, wherein the seat actuator comprises: an expandable portion comprising an inflatable bladder; and an expansion device in flow communication with the inflatable bladder and configured to cause to the inflatable bladder to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state.
 14. An occupant protection system of claim 11, wherein the portion of the seatback comprises a first portion facing the back of the occupant, the first portion comprising an elastomeric material, and wherein the seatback further comprises: a second portion, opposite the first portion, configured to crush in plastic deformation under a threshold load, wherein the seat actuator comprises an expandable portion located between the first portion and the second portion configured to compress the elastomeric material upon expanding.
 15. A method for protecting an occupant of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a triggering signal indicative of at least one of a change in velocity of the vehicle, a predicted change in velocity of the vehicle, a collision, or a predicted collision; and causing, based at least in part on the triggering signal, a seat actuator to change a stiffness a portion of a seatback that faces at least a portion of a back of an occupant from a first stiffness to a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein causing the seat actuator to change the stiffness of the portion of the seatback comprises increasing a pressure in a portion of the seat actuator that comprises an inflatable bladder, wherein the inflatable bladder is located in an internal portion of the seatback.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein increasing the pressure in the portion of the seat actuator that comprises the inflatable bladder comprises activating an expansion device operably connected to the inflatable bladder to deploy the inflatable bladder.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein increasing the pressure in the portion of the seat actuator that comprises the inflatable bladder comprises injecting into the inflatable bladder a fluid comprising a liquid, a gas, or a combination thereof.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein causing the seat actuator to change the stiffness of the portion of the seatback comprises: pressurizing a portion of the seat actuator that comprises a first inflatable bladder located at a first location inside the seatback; pressurizing a portion of the seat actuator that comprises a second inflatable bladder located at a second location, different from the first location, inside the seatback; or pressurizing the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining cessation of the triggering signal; and causing the portion of the seat actuator to return the portion of the seatback to the first stiffness. 